Dimension-Controlled Cohesive Paper Curls for Stable Transit Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper-based packing materials, such as coils from U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,626,813 and 2008/0153685, are impractical for cushioning variously-shaped items without additional manipulation, forming loose assemblages that shift during transit.
Innovation Solution
A curl or spiral of dimension-controlled, cohesive paper with a cohesive side facing outward, forming a cohesive mass around items, produced by machines that cut and wind cohesive paper strips into curls with specific dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If paper is converted into low density packing material as large coils, then biodegradability and recyclability are improved, but the coils require additional manipulation and cutting to cushion around variously-shaped items
Solution Approach 1:
The large coil is segmented into multiple smaller individual curls of controlled dimensions. Each curl is self-contained and can be easily handled, yet collectively they form an effective packing mass that cushions around variously-shaped items without requiring additional manipulation or cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The paper is pre-formed into curls with specific dimension control before use. This preliminary action of creating uniformly sized curls with cohesive properties eliminates the need for additional manipulation during the packing process, while maintaining the environmental benefits of paper-based material.
2Stability of the object's composition
If paper coils are made with cohesive properties, then the coils maintain their crumpled and coiled shape, but they form only a loose assemblage that shifts and moves during transit
Solution Approach 1:
Cohesiveness is applied locally at specific regions of the paper strip rather than uniformly throughout. This allows individual curls to maintain their shape while enabling them to interlock with adjacent curls, creating a stable mass that prevents shifting during transit.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual curls are combined to form a collective packing mass. The curls work together through their cohesive properties to create a unified structure that is more stable and reliable than a single large coil, eliminating the loose assemblage problem while maintaining shape stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cohesive side of paper faces inward in the coil, then the coil maintains its shape, but it cannot form a cohesive mass around items for packing
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation of the cohesive side is inverted compared to conventional coils. Instead of facing inward, the cohesive side faces outward on the external surface of each curl. This inversion enables the curls to bond with adjacent curls and items, allowing them to form a cohesive packing mass while maintaining their individual shapes.
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 curls form a stable, cohesive mass that cushions and protects items during transit, eliminating the need for additional manipulation and ensuring items remain secure.
Implementation Method 1
a dimensioned strip of cohesive paper is spiraled or wound into a curl or spiral with the cohesive side of the dimensioned strip of cohesive paper on the outside of the curl/spiral
Data Source
AI summary
A packing material, its use, method of manufacture, and method of production creates a curl or spiral having elastic, cushioning, form-fitting, and coherent packing properties. The curl is created from a dimension-controlled strip of cohesive paper having a cohesive side and a non-cohesive side, and formed with a leading end that is folded upon itself such that a cohesive side of the leading end contacts the cohesive side of the dimension controlled strip of cohesive paper, and a trailing end opposite the leading end that is folded upon itself such that a non-cohesive side of the trailing end contacts the non-cohesive side of the dimensioned strip of cohesive paper, wherein the dimensioned strip of cohesive paper is wound into a spiral with the cohesive side of the dimensioned strip of cohesive paper facing outward. A plurality of curls provides a clumped, cohesive mass around a packed item.