Adjustable Buffer Portion for Packaging Gap Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging solutions fail to adequately adjust to varying gaps between stored objects and containers, leading to potential damage during transport due to vibrations and size mismatches.

Innovation Solution

A package with an adjustable buffer portion featuring a base, a first fold, and a space adjusting portion with multiple second folds, allowing the buffer to be bent and adjusted to fit different gap sizes, reducing movement and damage by extending in the stacking direction and providing a contact region to stabilize the object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed-size buffer portion is used to fill the gap between the stored object and the container, then the buffer can reduce collision and damage, but it cannot adequately adjust to varying gap sizes leading to insufficient protection or wasted space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against collision and damageVSAvoidadjustment to varying gap sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer portion is designed with multiple second folds that allow it to dynamically adjust its shape and size. By bending at different combinations of the second folds, the buffer can adapt to various gap sizes between stored objects and the container, transforming from a static structure to a dynamic one that responds to different packaging scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer portion is divided into multiple segments created by the plurality of second folds. Each fold acts as a segmentation point that allows independent bending and adjustment. This segmentation enables the buffer to be configured in different shapes and sizes to match various gap dimensions, solving the adaptability problem while maintaining protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple buffer portions of different sizes are prepared in advance to fit different gap sizes, then adequate protection can be provided for various objects, but the device complexity and preparation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against collision and damageVSAvoidnumber of different buffer portions to manage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer portion is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple functions for different gap sizes. A single buffer design with multiple second folds can be adapted to fill various gap dimensions by bending at different fold combinations, eliminating the need to prepare and manage multiple different buffer portions for different object sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer portion utilizes parameter changes in its configuration by bending at different combinations of second folds. This changes the effective size and shape parameters of the buffer, allowing one buffer design to accommodate multiple gap size scenarios without increasing device complexity or requiring multiple buffer variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If rigid buffer material is used to maintain structural integrity, then the buffer can effectively reduce gap and prevent movement, but it cannot adapt to pressure changes and may cause damage during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of bufferVSAvoidresponse to pressure changes

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer portion utilizes a flexible structure with multiple second folds that allows it to bend and adapt to pressure changes during transport. This flexible design maintains structural integrity through its folded configuration while responding adaptively to external pressure variations, preventing both collapse and excessive rigidity that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible one through the incorporation of multiple second folds. This dynamic structure can adjust its configuration in response to pressure changes, maintaining protective function while adapting to varying transport conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11447323B2Package and buffer tool

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 TDK CORP

AI summary

A package includes a storage portion that stores an object to be stored, and a buffer portion that reduces a gap generated between the object to be stored and the storage portion. The storage portion includes a bottom and a lid facing the bottom, and the buffer portion includes a base facing the object to be stored in a stacking direction from the bottom toward the lid, a first fold, and a space adjusting portion connected to the base at the first fold. The space adjusting portion includes an adjusting region extending in the stacking direction, a plurality of second folds distributed in a first direction intersecting the first fold, and a contact region connected to the adjusting region at one of the plurality of second folds.