Connective Protective Packaging With Self-Bonding Cushioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective packaging elements fail to effectively protect objects during transit due to movement within containers, necessitating cumbersome adhesive application to secure them in place.

Innovation Solution

Inflatable flexible structures with a bonding element that sticks to exposed surfaces, allowing them to connect to themselves, other packaging, or container surfaces, providing secure positioning and protection without the need for additional adhesives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If protective packaging elements are inserted next to the product in the container, then the protective packaging can be easily applied, but the protective packaging does not effectively protect the product from damage due to movement during transit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidprotection effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding element on the protective packaging enables self-positioning and self-securing functionality. The packaging automatically bonds to the product or container surface through the bonding element, eliminating the need for external adhesives or complex securing operations while maintaining reliable protection during transit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If adhesive tape is applied to secure the protective packaging around the product, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the packaging process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidpackaging speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the bonding functionality from separate adhesive tapes and integrates it directly into the protective packaging element itself. The bonding element is built-in to the packaging structure, allowing the packaging to secure itself without requiring additional adhesive materials or complex application steps, thereby maintaining protection effectiveness while significantly improving packaging speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If adhesive tape is used to wrap and secure the protective packaging, then the packaging remains in position during transit, but the application process is cumbersome especially when packaging numerous products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidpackaging process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding element provides self-securing capability directly on the protective packaging. The packaging automatically bonds to itself or the container surface through the bonding element, achieving stable positioning during transit without requiring complex wrapping procedures or additional adhesive application steps, thereby simplifying the overall packaging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution ensures effective protection and secure positioning of objects during transit by using a sticking element that maintains configuration and position, enhancing packaging efficiency and reducing the need for adhesive application.

Implementation Method 1

The bonding element operably bonds the exposed surface to the abutting surface by contact with the bonding element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The film plies are connected together to trap a fluid therebetween when sealed, such that the protective packaging element is an inflatable cushion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3519318B1Connective protective packaging
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 PREGIS LLC
  • EP3519318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3519318B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3519318B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A connective protective packaging element is provided. The connective protective packaging element may include a protective body in a high-density supply configuration. The protective body may be configurable into a low-density configuration for cushioning packaged products. The body may include an exposed surface in the low-density configuration. The connective protective packaging element may also include a bonding element attached to the exposed surface that operably bonds the exposed surface to an abutting surface by contact with the bonding element.