Can Carrier Applicator with Multilobular Recesses for Secure Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing applicator systems fail to effectively attach cardboard carriers with central upper covers over beverage cans, particularly for slim and classic cans, due to inadequate spacing and design, leading to weak and easily torn packages.

Innovation Solution

An applicator system comprising a top applicator with multilobular recesses and a lower confining component that ensures proper spacing and attachment of carriers with radial covers, using frustoconical retaining flanges and arc-shaped openings, allowing for secure attachment and advertising space on the package.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a cardboard carrier with central upper cover and radial covers is used to attach over beverage cans, then a continuous upper plane for advertising is formed, but the carrier becomes weak and easily torn due to inadequate spacing and design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous upper plane areaVSAvoidcarrier strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of the cardboard carrier material in different regions. The central upper cover and radial covers have different thicknesses to optimize both the advertising surface area and structural strength. Specifically, the carrier includes a central portion, radial covers extending from it, and the thickness is strategically distributed to provide rigidity where needed while maintaining the continuous upper plane for advertising purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the carrier openings are made incomplete arc-shaped to leave bridge portions for joining covers, then a continuous upper plane is formed, but the attachment to can rims becomes less secure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous upper plane areaVSAvoidattachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the carrier into distinct functional parts: a central portion, incomplete arc-shaped openings, and bridge portions that connect the openings to the central area. The radial covers extend from the central portion and are joined through these bridge portions. This segmentation allows the carrier to maintain a continuous upper advertising plane while providing secure attachment points at the can rims through the strategically designed opening configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the carrier is designed to fit over slim and classic cans with different dimensions, then versatility is improved, but the design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier adaptabilityVSAvoidcarrier design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single carrier configuration that can accommodate multiple can types (slim and classic cans with different dimensions). The carrier's incomplete arc-shaped openings and bridge portions are designed to adapt to various can rim configurations, allowing the same carrier design to securely attach to different can sizes and shapes without requiring multiple specialized carrier designs.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4588813A1Applicator system for coupling at least one carrier to a set of drink cans to form one or more packages
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 HERRERA MUÑOZ JORGE FUNDADOR
  • EP4588813A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4588813A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4588813A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an irrigation system (1) that allows, in real time and automatically, water flow to be measured and alerts to be issued regarding anomalies in the normal operation of the system, such as the detection of water leakage and/or the non-operation of a system component, thus optimising consumption and facilitating the user experience, wherein the irrigation system comprises: at least one water supply means, to supply water to the irrigation system (1); at least one pipe (10), connected by one end to the water supply and which passes through the surface to be irrigated; at least one valve (11), disposed in the at least one pipe (10) to control the water flow therethrough; at least one sprinkler (12), connected to at least one outlet of the at least one pipe (10); at least one flowmeter (13), to measure the water flow; at least one control means (14), to control the operation of the irrigation system (1); at least one cable (15), connected to the at least one control means (14), to power the at least one valve (11); and at least one climate data storage means (16), which transmits at least one item of evapotranspiration data regarding the geographical area of operation of the irrigation system (1) to the at least one control means (14). The invention also relates to a method for controlling and managing irrigation.