Cardboard Bottle Wedging Device with Articulated Easels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for wedging bottles in transport boxes require significant material, often non-recyclable and bulky, and struggle with adaptability to different bottle shapes and lengths, while also compromising on aesthetics and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an elongated flat base with articulated easels that can deform to accommodate various bottle shapes and lengths, using a minimal amount of recyclable material, and featuring shock-absorbing flaps to protect labels and ensure secure wedging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polystyrene blocks are used to wedge the bottle, then the bottle is isolated from box walls, but significant material quantity is required which is non-recyclable and bulky for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin cardboard sheet folded into a sheath configuration that provides adequate bottle isolation without requiring bulky material. The flexible cardboard conform s to the bottle shape while maintaining protective separation from box walls, resolving the contradiction between reliable isolation and minimal material quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cardboard sheath is folded and nested within itself to create a compact structure that provides sufficient isolation volume using minimal material. The nested folding configuration allows the same material to provide both structural integrity and adequate separation distance from box walls.
2Reliability
If cardboard sheath with multiple thicknesses is used, then the bottle is isolated from box walls, but significant material quantity is required and mounting is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cardboard sheet is segmented into specific folded sections that create the sheath structure with pre-defined isolation zones. This segmentation allows the device to be easily assembled by simple folding and locking operations, resolving the contradiction between reliable isolation and ease of mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The cardboard sheath is pre-folded and pre-configured with locking flaps before insertion into the box. This preliminary preparation eliminates complex mounting operations, allowing the device to be easily installed by simply placing it into the box and closing the flaps, thus resolving the ease of operation contradiction.
3Reliability
If cardboard of superior rigidity is used for wedging, then the bottle is isolated from box walls, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of standard cardboard through folding and configuration rather than requiring superior rigidity material. The folded sheath structure creates multiple thickness zones that provide adequate isolation using conventional cardboard, resolving the contradiction between reliable isolation and manufacturing cost.
4Ease of operation
If visible edges and locking means are present, then the device functions properly, but aesthetic presentation of the bottle is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cardboard sheath is configured to conform smoothly to the bottle shape, hiding locking means and edges within the folded structure or against invisible surfaces. This resolves the contradiction between functional visibility and aesthetic presentation by making functional elements invisible from the front view.
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 device effectively isolates bottles from box walls with minimal material usage, adapts to different bottle sizes, and maintains bottle integrity during falls, while offering a compact storage solution and aesthetic presentation.
Implementation Method 1
each easel is deformable in the main direction, so as to make the device adaptable to different shapes and lengths of bottles
Implementation Method 2
featuring shock-absorbing flaps to protect labels and ensure secure wedging
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for securing a bottle to a main wall and the adjacent side walls of a transport crate, obtained by folding a blank of a semi-rigid material, the device comprising: - a base (16) elongated along a main direction and intended to be pressed against the main wall (A, F, H) of the crate (12), - two retaining supports (23, 24) for the bottle (14) at a distance from the base (16), and - two axial retaining angles (101, 102) for the body and neck formed by portions of blank extending from the two ends of the base (16) each folded to define respectively two axial stops (103, 104) extending parallel to the base (16), at a distance from it and on either side of this base (16) along the main direction. The invention finds application in the field of securing fragile objects.