Container Bundle Adhesive Bonding for Stability and Removability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing bundles of containers face challenges in achieving both high adhesive strength for mechanical stability and ease of removal, with high adhesive strength being counterproductive for easy handling and visual appearance issues due to film obstruction.

Innovation Solution

The method employs multiple differently designed adhesives or adhesive applications within a container, varying in extent, layer thickness, composition, and pretreatment, to achieve high adhesive strength internally and lower strength peripherally, allowing for easy detachment and improved visual appearance without film.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high adhesive strength is used to ensure mechanical stability of the bundle, then the bundle structure becomes stable, but the individual containers become difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different adhesive strengths at different locations: strong adhesive in the center for structural stability and weak adhesive at the periphery for easy removal. This spatial differentiation of adhesive properties resolves the contradiction between bundle stability and individual container removability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive application is segmented into different regions (center and periphery) with different adhesive strengths. This segmentation allows the bundle to exhibit both strong overall binding and localized easy separation, addressing the conflicting requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If shrink film is used to wrap and secure the container bundle, then mechanical stability is improved, but the visual appearance deteriorates due to film obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the shrink film from the final product by using adhesive bonding alone. The adhesive provides sufficient mechanical stability without the visual obstruction caused by film, thereby extracting the harmful element while preserving the beneficial function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive bond serves as a temporary yet sufficient holding mechanism that does not require additional film materials. The adhesive provides the necessary mechanical stability during transport and handling without compromising visual appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform adhesive application is used across all container surfaces, then production simplicity is maintained, but adhesive strength distribution becomes suboptimal for both stability and removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidadhesive strength distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements non-uniform adhesive distribution with strong adhesive in the center and weak adhesive at the periphery. This local quality differentiation optimizes both bundle stability and ease of removal while remaining compatible with existing production methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach ensures mechanical stability comparable to foil-wrapped bundles while allowing easy removal of individual containers and maintaining a clear visual appearance by optimizing adhesive strength distribution and type usage.

Implementation Method 1

the containers are connected to each other at their respective adhesive or adhesive application to form the respective desired container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

thermally meltable adhesive systems, which develop cohesion (internal strength) after cooling down

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCohesion: Cohesion

Data Source

PatentEP3003868B1Method for producing bundles of containers by adhering the containers to each other
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 KHS GMBH
  • EP3003868B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3003868B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3003868B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method for producing multipacks of containers includes placing adhesive spots on surfaces of the containers. At least two kinds of adhesives are used, both of which plastic melt adhesives that melt as a result of exposure to heat and that develop cohesion after cooling. After placing the adhesive spots, the containers are connected to each other using the adhesive spots so as to form a multipack.