Biodegradable Paper Label for Tennis Ball Container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tennis ball containers use shrink film labels made from synthetic resin, which contribute to environmental pollution and resource sustainability issues due to non-biodegradability and littering, and incineration leading to global warming.

Innovation Solution

A tennis ball container with a transparent bottle made from synthetic resin and a biodegradable paper label containing mainly plant or animal fibers, positioned along the inner surface, eliminating the need for shrink film and ensuring environmental friendliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a shrink film label made from synthetic resin is used on the container, then the label can shield rays of light and suppress discoloration of the tennis ball, but the label becomes non-biodegradable and contributes to environmental pollution and resource sustainability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscoloration suppressionVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter of the label from synthetic resin to natural fiber-based material. The natural fiber label is positioned along the inner peripheral surface of the transparent bottle, providing light shielding functionality while being biodegradable and environmentally friendly, thus resolving the contradiction between discoloration suppression and environmental pollution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If a shrink film label is used, then necessary information can be displayed on the container, but the label creates littering problems and negative impact on the natural environment and ecosystem

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation displayVSAvoidlittering
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material composition parameter of the label to natural fibers that are biodegradable. The label is positioned inside the transparent bottle along the inner peripheral surface, allowing information display while eliminating persistent littering problems as the natural fiber material decomposes naturally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If a shrink film label is used, then the container can be properly labeled, but incineration of the label generates carbon dioxide and facilitates global warming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabeling functionVSAvoidgreenhouse gas emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from synthetic resin to natural fiber material. The natural fiber label maintains the labeling function when positioned inside the transparent bottle, but unlike synthetic resin, it does not generate significant carbon dioxide when incinerated or can decompose naturally, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Shape

If the position of the upper edge of the paper label is at the same level as the neck or shifted toward the bottom, then the label positioning is optimized, but the label must still be made from environmentally friendly materials to avoid pollution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel positionVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter of the label to natural fiber-based material that is biodegradable. The label is positioned along the inner peripheral surface with its upper edge at or below the neck level, optimizing positioning while the natural fiber material ensures environmental friendliness and reduces environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4361059A1Tennis ball container
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4361059A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4361059A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4361059A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tennis ball container 4 includes a bottle 8, a paper label 10, an inner lid 12, and a paper cap 14. The bottle 8 includes a bottom 18 and a neck 20. The paper label 10 is accommodated in the bottle 8, and is positioned along an inner peripheral surface of the bottle 8. The paper label 10 can be obtained by printing paper. The paper is obtained by agglutinating biodegradable fibers together. In an axial direction of the bottle 8, a position of an upper edge 26 of the paper label 10 is the same as a position of the neck 20, or the position of the upper edge 26 of the paper label 10 is shifted from the position of the neck 20 toward the bottom 18.