Blister Package Shoulder for Cable Weight Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging solutions for products like cables and hoses fail to adequately support their weight, leading to sagging and improper display in retail settings.

Innovation Solution

A package design featuring a base made of sheet material with a blister attachment that includes a shoulder portion forming an interior wall, providing support and maintaining the product's shape, along with optional features like additional channels and straps for enhanced holding and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a simple paperboard package is used, then the package is easy to manufacture and display, but the product sags due to insufficient weight support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight support capabilityVSAvoidpackage structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The package is divided into distinct functional components: a base made of sheet material and a separate blister portion attached to the base. The blister is further segmented into a body portion for product containment and a shoulder portion for weight bearing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The package combines different materials with complementary properties: a rigid or semi-rigid base made of sheet material (such as plastic or metal) that provides structural support, and a blister portion made of formable material that can be molded into a shape with load-bearing capabilities. This composite structure enables the package to support product weight effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If the product is fully enclosed in the package, then the product is protected, but the product shape cannot be maintained and displayed properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct shape maintenanceVSAvoidproduct sagging
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blister portion is formed with a curved, three-dimensional shape rather than a flat configuration. The shoulder portion specifically features a curved surface that naturally supports the product in a suspended or draped position, maintaining the product's aesthetic shape while preventing sagging. This curvature allows the product to be displayed in an attractive, natural configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The package transitions from a traditional two-dimensional flat package to a three-dimensional structure with vertical depth. The blister portion extends outward from the base, creating multiple dimensions for product support. This dimensional change allows the product to be held off the base surface, maintaining its shape and preventing contact-induced deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If a rigid support structure is added to the package, then the product weight is supported, but the package becomes more complex and harder to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural support capabilityVSAvoidpackage manufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support function and the containment function are merged into a single integrated blister portion. The shoulder portion of the blister simultaneously provides structural support for the product weight and forms part of the containment structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate support elements, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blister portion serves multiple functions: it contains the product, supports the product weight through its shoulder portion, and maintains the product shape through its curved geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the package structure, as a single component performs what would traditionally require multiple separate elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11370589B2Package with blister as support for product
Publication Date: 2022.06.28 WESTROCK MWV LLC
  • US11370589B2 patent drawing
  • US11370589B2 patent drawing
  • US11370589B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A package is described for housing a product supported upon a blister portion of the package. The product may be an item whose weight may be supported by the blister. For some products such as cables, wires, or hoses the product may also be held in a desired shape.