Appliance Packaging Caps With Integrated Post Sockets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging systems for appliances lack effective horizontal and vertical support structures that prevent lateral movement and rotation of elongated posts, which can lead to damage during shipping.

Innovation Solution

A packaging system comprising a cap with a main panel and side panel assemblies that form sockets to receive the ends of elongated posts, inhibiting lateral movement and rotation, and a brace for additional horizontal support, allowing for stackable caps and secure appliance protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing packaging systems are used without enhanced support structures, then the packaging system is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the elongated posts lack effective horizontal and vertical support, leading to potential damage during shipping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of appliance during shippingVSAvoidcomplexity of packaging system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system is divided into distinct functional components: caps with integrated side panel assemblies, elongated posts, and braces. Each component serves a specific protective function, allowing for modular assembly and disassembly while providing comprehensive support during shipping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side panel assemblies are pre-formed with sockets that receive the elongated posts before shipping. The caps are pre-assembled with integrated side panels and braces, creating a rigid framework that prevents movement and damage of the appliance during transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If caps are made stackable with mating protuberances and sockets, then storage and shipping efficiency is improved, but the cap design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestackability of capsVSAvoidcomplexity of cap design

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cap design integrates multiple functions into a single component: the main cap body, the side panel assemblies with sockets for posts, and the stacking protuberances/sockets for vertical stacking. This multi-functional design enables both structural support and stackability without requiring separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The side panel assemblies are merged with the cap body to form an integrated structure. The stacking features (protuberances and sockets) are incorporated directly into the cap design, combining the support function and stacking function in a single unified component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11661256B2Packaging system for an appliance

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 ELECTROLUX CONSUMER PROD INC

AI summary

A packaging system includes first and second caps, each cap having a main panel, first and second side panel assemblies extending from and substantially perpendicular to the main panel, a plurality of stacking protuberances, and a plurality of stacking sockets. The cap is stackable with an identical cap by mating the protuberances of the cap with the sockets of the identical cap. The packaging system further includes an elongated post; an elongated brace; and a packaging block fixed to the main panel of the first cap. The side panel assemblies of the first cap are adjacent to one another and together with the packaging block define a post socket that receives an end portion of the post and inhibits lateral movement of the post. Moreover, the side panel assemblies of the second cap are opposed to one another and respectively support first and second ends of the brace.