Monolithic Cardboard Packaging with Cradle and Handle Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems rely heavily on plastics and foams to protect articles during shipping, which is costly and environmentally unfriendly. Additionally, these systems often fail to effectively constrain the movement of articles within containers, leading to potential damage during transit.
Innovation Solution
The development of packaging systems that utilize folding members, such as L-shaped portions, and cradle members, such as M-shaped portions, formed monolithically with corrugated cardboard. These structures capture and support articles, constraining movement and maintaining an air gap between the article and the container walls, thereby reducing contact and potential damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastics and foams are used to protect articles during shipping, then protection effectiveness is improved, but production cost increases and environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates plastics and foams from the packaging system, replacing them with corrugated cardboard structures. The folding members and cradle members are formed entirely from corrugated cardboard, removing the need for separate plastic or foam protective layers while maintaining protection effectiveness through the air gap and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated cardboard structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the container walls, forms the folding members for constraint, creates the cradle members for support, and generates the cushioning air gap. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protective materials like plastics and foams, reducing cost and environmental impact while maintaining protection.
2Reliability
If plastics and foams are used to protect articles during shipping, then protection effectiveness is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes plastics and foams from the packaging system entirely, replacing them with biodegradable corrugated cardboard structures. This extraction of harmful materials maintains protection effectiveness through alternative mechanisms (air gap, cardboard structure) while eliminating the environmental harm associated with plastic and foam packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from synthetic (plastic/foam) to natural (corrugated cardboard), fundamentally altering the environmental impact profile while maintaining the protective function through structural design and air gap mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional structures are used to keep the article from moving uncontrollably, then movement constraint is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the container walls, folding members, and cradle members into a single integrated corrugated cardboard structure. The folding members and cradle members are formed as continuous parts of the container body, eliminating the need for separate constraint structures and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective movement constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated cardboard structure performs multiple functions: it forms the container boundaries, creates the folding members for lateral constraint, forms the cradle members for vertical support, and generates the air gap for cushioning. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device while maintaining comprehensive movement constraint.
4Reliability
If the article is suspended or retained within the box, then protection from foreign objects is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic, flexible corrugated cardboard structures that can adapt to the article's shape and position. The folding members and cradle members are formed from flexible material that can be folded and shaped during assembly, allowing the article to be suspended and retained without requiring high manufacturing precision for rigid positioning structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging or container system can include a cradle portion and/or a handle engaging portion. The cradle portion can include a plurality of panel configured to form a cradle for an article to be packaged. The cradle portion can be made monolithically with an outer container portion from a single piece of corrugated cardboard. The handle engaging portion can be formed of a foldable panel with at least one aperture configured to engage a protruding portion of an article to be packaged, such as the handle of a coffee mug. The handle engaging portion can also be made monolithically with an outer container portion from a single piece of corrugated cardboard.