Crepe Paper Stretch Wrap for Pallet Unitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plastic stretch wrap for unitizing packages is environmentally unsustainable and generates significant waste, despite efforts to reduce its consumption and improve its recyclability.
Innovation Solution
Using crepe paper as a stretchable and adhesive material to wrap packages, which can be stretched and wrapped around pallets like plastic wrap, offering a sustainable alternative with potential for recycling and biodegradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic stretch wrap is used to unitize packages, then stabilization and protection of packages are achieved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates due to waste generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from synthetic plastic to natural fiber-based stretchable paper, maintaining the functional properties (stretchability, wrapability, stabilization) while eliminating the environmental harm associated with plastic waste. The stretchable paper is engineered to achieve comparable mechanical properties to plastic wrap through controlled fiber composition and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a disposable wrapping material that is intentionally designed to be used once and then discarded without harm to the environment. The stretchable paper is positioned as a single-use alternative to plastic wrap, but unlike plastic, it decomposes naturally and can be recycled through existing paper recycling infrastructure, thereby eliminating the long-term environmental burden of disposable plastic.
2Loss of substance
If plastic stretch wrap thickness is reduced to decrease waste weight, then material consumption is reduced, but wrapping effectiveness and load stabilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the stretchable paper, combining multiple fiber types (wood fibers, recycled paper fibers, and potentially synthetic fiber blends) to achieve optimal balance between weight and mechanical strength. This composite approach allows the material to provide sufficient stabilization force while maintaining low weight, solving the contradiction between material reduction and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The stretchable paper is engineered with varying fiber density and composition in different regions of the material structure. The outer layers may have higher tensile strength for wrap integrity, while inner layers provide stretchability and conformability. This local quality differentiation allows the material to achieve maximum stabilization effectiveness with minimum overall weight.
3Reliability
If crepe paper is stretched to provide wrap tension, then package stabilization is improved, but risk of paper tearing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of crepe paper through controlled stretching and moisture conditioning processes that reorient and strengthen the fiber structure. The paper is pre-stretched and dried to create a more aligned fiber configuration that resists tearing during the wrapping process, thereby enabling the application of wrap tension without excessive tear risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The crepe paper undergoes preliminary stretching and conditioning treatments before the actual wrapping operation. This pre-treatment strengthens the paper fibers and reduces their susceptibility to tearing during use. The paper is prepared in advance to have optimized mechanical properties that balance stretchability and tear resistance for the specific wrapping application.
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
Crepe paper provides effective stabilization and protection for packages during transport and storage, comparable to traditional plastic stretch wrap, while reducing environmental impact through recyclability and biodegradability.
Implementation Method 1
The crepe paper is capable of stretching at least about 10% without tearing. Crepe paper is dispensed from the supply of crepe paper, while longitudinally tensioning the crepe paper, so as to longitudinally stretch the crepe paper at least about 10%
Implementation Method 2
Each turn overlaps at least about 10% of at least a portion of another turn, thereby creating a single shipping unit
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for unitizing groups of individual packages into pallet loads, stabilizing the loads and facilitating general movement of the pallets, including the loading and unloading of pallets into and out of transport vehicles, includes wrapping the loads with stretchable crepe paper, rather than conventional plastic wrap material. Crepe paper can be produced and recycled with less environmental impact than plastic wrap. These methods involve a new use for crepe paper, and a new use for conventional plastic-wrapping equipment.