Cartridge Packaging Backing Plate Impact Buffer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bulk packaging of data recording cartridges is prone to damage during shipping due to inadequate buffer protection, as the storage cases move excessively within outer cases, leading to impact on corners and deformation or breakage of cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A packaging structure featuring a backing plate member that covers the storage case, with cutout portions engaging the projecting portions of the storage case, preventing shallow engagement and providing a buffer effect by absorbing impact when the outer case is dropped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cartridges are collectively stored in one plastic storage case (bulk packaging), then handling efficiency is improved, but the storage case becomes vulnerable to damage during shipping due to excessive movement and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the packaging system into multiple functional components: an outer case, an intermediate storage case, and individual cartridge holders. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the outer case provides structural protection, the storage case holds multiple cartridges, and individual holders prevent movement. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining bulk packaging efficiency while adding protective layers to prevent damage during shipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested packaging structure where cartridges are individually held within a storage case, which is then placed inside an outer case. This nested arrangement allows the storage case to be securely positioned within the outer case using positioning protrusions and recesses, preventing excessive movement during shipping while maintaining the efficiency of bulk packaging. The nested structure ensures that the storage case cannot shift independently, thus protecting the cartridges.
2Device complexity
If the storage case is directly placed in the outer case without additional positioning structures, then packaging complexity is reduced, but the storage case moves excessively inside the outer case during shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates positioning protrusions on the storage case and corresponding recesses in the outer case as preliminary positioning features. These structures are pre-formed during manufacturing, so when the storage case is placed in the outer case, the positioning occurs automatically without requiring additional adjustment or complex mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by providing stable positioning through simple, pre-integrated structural features rather than adding complex active positioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning protrusions and recesses act as intermediary elements between the storage case and outer case. These intermediate features facilitate the connection and positioning of the two components, enabling stable positioning without requiring direct complex interlocking or additional adjustment mechanisms. The intermediary positioning features simplify the overall structure while ensuring stability during shipping.
3Ease of operation
If flaps of the outer case are made slanted for easy closure, then ease of operation is improved, but the engagement between flaps and storage case becomes shallow, providing insufficient buffer protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural characteristics to different parts of the packaging system. The flaps are made slanted for ease of closure operation, while the bottom of the outer case is designed with a buffer structure having a different geometry and material property to provide impact absorption. This local differentiation allows each part to optimize its function - the slanted flaps provide operational ease, while the buffered bottom provides protection, resolving the contradiction between ease of closure and protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates a buffer structure at the bottom of the outer case as a preliminary protective measure. This buffer is positioned in advance to absorb impact forces before they reach the storage case and cartridges. By providing this beforehand cushioning, the system maintains the ease of slanted flap closure while ensuring that impact protection is already in place, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and protection effectiveness.
4Quantity of substance
If the outer case is made large to accommodate many cartridges, then storage capacity is improved, but the case becomes more prone to damage when dropped due to increased mass and larger corner impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large packaging system into an outer case, an intermediate storage case, and individual cartridge holders. This segmentation allows the large outer case to maintain its storage capacity while the intermediate storage case acts as a protective layer that distributes and absorbs impact forces. The segmentation prevents the impact from being concentrated on the cartridges directly, thus resolving the contradiction between storing many cartridges and protecting them from impact damage during dropping.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates multiple buffer structures: the intermediate storage case itself acts as a buffer, and additional buffer members are positioned between the storage case and the outer case bottom. These beforehand cushioning elements are designed to absorb impact forces during dropping, protecting the cartridges from damage even when the large outer case is dropped. This allows the system to maintain large storage capacity while providing adequate impact protection.
Data Source
AI summary
To improve a buffer effect on cartridges as well as to make it possible to suppress deformation or breakage of the cartridges in the case where, after a storage case containing the data recording cartridges has been put in an outer case for packaging, the outer case is dropped. A sheet-shaped member is folded so as to cover an upper surface, a lower surface, and one side surface of a storage case 40 to form a backing plate member 30. The backing plate member 30 is formed with first cutout portions 35a for receiving first projecting portions 48a of an upper surface of the storage case 40, and second cutout portions 35b for receiving second projecting portions 48b of a lower surface the storage case 40.