Bulk Box Shock Absorbers for Impact Dampening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distribution centers face inefficiencies and increased costs due to high product damage during handling, primarily caused by mechanical handling equipment that can result in products being damaged from falls and impacts within bulk boxes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of shock absorbers, such as rectangular sheet, shuttle tray, deflector net, and inflatable bag shock absorbers, within bulk boxes to dissipate kinetic energy and reduce the impact of products as they are loaded, thereby minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical handling equipment is used to transport and dispense product in distribution centers, then processing efficiency and speed are improved, but product damage increases due to rough handling, high drops, and product-to-product impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by placing shock-absorbing material at the bottom of bulk boxes before product is dispensed. This cushioning layer is positioned in advance to catch products during high-speed mechanical handling, reducing damage from drops and impacts while maintaining processing efficiency. The shock-absorbing material is installed beforehand in the bulk box receptacle to mitigate harmful effects before they occur.
2Loss of time
If product is shipped quickly via conveyor systems and bulk boxes, then delivery time is reduced, but product damage increases from rough mechanical handling
Solution Approach 1:
The shock-absorbing material is installed in advance in the bulk box receptacle to protect products during rapid mechanical handling and conveyor transport. This beforehand cushioning allows quick delivery while preventing damage from the rough handling inherent in high-speed distribution center operations.
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 use of shock absorbers significantly reduces product damage by up to 48% and associated costs, maintaining distribution center efficiency while ensuring products are handled more gently, thereby reducing the need for replacing damaged items.
Implementation Method 1
The shock absorbers may be installed in a bulk box to dampen a kinetic energy of product being received by the bulk box
Implementation Method 2
positioned to deflect and dampen a kinetic energy of a product dispensed from a pick-up point
Implementation Method 3
The fold line may be a deformation that provides a location in the planar sheet having a lower resistance to bending as compared to areas of the planar sheet without a fold line
Implementation Method 4
positioned to deflect and dampen a kinetic energy of a product dispensed from a pick-up point
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging assembly comprises a bulk box having a shock absorber to dampen a kinetic energy of product being dispensed from a conveyor system. The shock absorber may be a rectangular sheet shock absorber disposed diagonally in the bulk box, a shuttle tray shock absorber disposed in an opening of the bulk box, a deflector net disposed in an opening of the bulk box, or a inflatable bag shock absorber disposed in the bulk box, for example.