Adhesive-Integrated Pallet Packaging for Liquid Containers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing palletization methods fail to securely transport uneven individual packaging elements, such as shrink wraps from separate containers, and are not suitable for all types of containers, including liquid containers, as they require multiple components and high material consumption for recycling.

Innovation Solution

A pallet design featuring bundles of liquid containers held together with shrink film, where adhesive is applied to raised areas and elevations on the containers for stability within layers, and an intermediate layer with high friction prevents layer slippage, reducing the need for additional adhesives and simplifying recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive tapes with double-sided adhesive points are used to hold containers together in various layers, then transport security for individual containers is improved, but the number of components to be recycled increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport securityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the adhesive function from separate adhesive tapes and integrates it directly onto the container surfaces. The adhesive is applied in specific patterns (continuous lines or discrete points) on the side surfaces and/or top surfaces of containers, eliminating the need for separate adhesive tape components while maintaining the same securing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the container structure with the adhesive system by applying adhesive directly to the container surfaces. This combines what were previously separate components (container + adhesive tape) into a single integrated system, reducing the number of components that need to be recycled while maintaining transport security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple adhesive components are used to secure containers in layers, then stability of containers on pallet is improved, but material consumption for recycling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer stabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the adhesive function from separate adhesive components and integrates it directly onto the container surfaces. Adhesive is applied in optimized patterns (continuous lines or discrete points) that provide sufficient stability while using minimal material, eliminating waste from excess adhesive tape application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies adhesive partially rather than covering entire surfaces. Adhesive is applied in specific patterns (continuous lines at edges or discrete points at corners/centers) that provide sufficient bonding stability while using significantly less adhesive material compared to full-surface application, reducing material consumption for recycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If adhesive is applied to secure containers together, then transport security is improved, but ease of separation during depalletization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport securityVSAvoidease of separation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies adhesive with local quality variations - using discrete points or limited continuous lines at specific locations (corners, edges, centers) rather than uniform full-surface application. This provides sufficient transport security at critical bonding points while maintaining ease of separation, as the localized adhesive application requires less force and effort to break during depalletization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides enhanced stability and transport security for containers, minimizing material consumption and facilitating easy separation during depalletization, while maintaining protection against dirt and moisture.

Implementation Method 1

The containers consist of several liquid containers (1) that are held together with a shrink film (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShrinkage: Thermal Contraction

Implementation Method 2

An adhesive (50) is applied to the top and/or the lateral surface of several containers (10) in a layer (20). This adhesive (50) interacts detachably with at least one partial surface of the lateral surface of another container (10) within the layer (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

There is an intermediate layer between the individual layers, which consists of a film adhering to the individual layers of the bottles. This transport lock for the individual bottles is only suitable for empty bottles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2107009B1Palette made of packages and method for paletting packages
Publication Date: 2011.02.02 KRONES AG
  • EP2107009B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2107009B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2107009B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The palette (30) has multiple layers (20x-20x+n) with packages (10) i.e. three dimensional body, where each package has an upper side (11), a lower side and a lateral area (14). The packages have adhesive medium (50) applied on the upper side and/or the lateral area. The adhesive medium detachably co-operates with the lateral area of the packages within the layer (20x) and with the lower side of the packages of the layer (20x+1) on the palette. The upper side, the lower side and the lateral area of the package are provided with same planar surface. An independent claim is also included for a method for palletizing packages.