Convertible Paint Brush Package Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paint brush packaging fails to effectively protect bristles during shipment, display, and storage while also limiting consumer visibility and packaging surface area for communication, and often results in packages that cannot be reused without destruction.

Innovation Solution

A convertible package that transitions between a display state and a protective state, featuring an elongate display panel with a fold region and defined openings for the handle, allowing the package to be folded for protection and retaining the brush tip region, while maintaining accessibility and surface area for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a package covers the brush bristles to protect them, then bristle protection is improved, but consumer visibility of bristles before purchase deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebristle protectionVSAvoidconsumer visibility of bristles

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The package is divided into two functional segments: a bristle cover portion that protects the bristles during shipping and storage, and a display panel portion that allows consumer visibility and communication. This segmentation enables both protection and visibility functions to coexist without interfering with each other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The package incorporates a fold region that allows it to transition between a flat display configuration (for consumer visibility) and a folded protective configuration (for bristle protection). This dynamic transformation enables the same package structure to serve different functions at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a package does not extend the full length of the brush, then bristle protection is improved, but packaging surface area for communication deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebristle protectionVSAvoidpackaging surface area for communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The package utilizes the full length of the brush by extending the display panel along the entire brush body, not just the bristle portion. This dimensional extension provides additional surface area for communication while the bristle cover portion remains positioned to protect the bristles during shipping and storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If a package is designed for display state, then consumer visibility and communication surface area are improved, but bristle protection during storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumer visibility and communicationVSAvoidbristle protection during storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The package is designed with a fold region that enables it to transition from a flat display state (providing maximum surface area for communication and visibility) to a folded protective state (providing bristle protection during storage and shipping). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the package to optimize for different functions based on the operational context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The package structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a display panel for consumer visibility and communication when flat, and as a protective cover when folded. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate display and protection mechanisms, integrating both functions into a single universal package design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of information

If a package is designed for single-use display, then consumer visibility is improved, but package reusability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumer visibilityVSAvoidpackage reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The package incorporates a fold region that allows it to be reconfigured from a flat display state to a folded protective state. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the package to be reused multiple times for both display and protection functions, eliminating the need for single-use disposable packages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The package is designed as a universal, reusable structure that can serve multiple functions across multiple uses: displaying product information, protecting bristles during shipping, and protecting bristles during storage. This multi-functional design replaces single-use packages with a durable, reusable alternative.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8939286B2Convertible paint brush package

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 SWIMC LLC

AI summary

A paint brush package apparatus, a packaged paint brush, and methods regarding the use of such paint brush packages, include a convertible package which may be converted from a display state (e.g., paint brush mounted on an elongate display panel of the package) to a protective state (e.g., after detaching the paint brush from the elongate display panel and for protective storage between uses).