Insulated Cup Sleeve Adhesive Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cups made from corrugated material for storing beverages lack stability and aesthetic appeal, and have inefficient manufacturing processes due to the conventional method of attaching the sleeve ends, which results in adhesive leakage and increased material usage.
Innovation Solution
The second area of adhesive on the sleeve is positioned at a distance from the overlapping edge, allowing each end of the blank to be separately attached to the internal wall, reducing the overlap width, enhancing stability, and improving aesthetic appearance by minimizing adhesive leakage and material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the second area of adhesive is provided exactly at the overlapping edge to directly attach the ends together, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the cup stability decreases and adhesive leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive application is segmented into two distinct areas: the first area at the leading edge for attachment to the internal wall, and the second area at a distance from the overlapping edge for additional fixation. This segmentation allows each adhesive area to perform its specific function optimally, preventing adhesive leakage while maintaining cup stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping edge acts as an intermediary element that is positioned between the two adhesive areas. By locating the second adhesive area at a distance from this overlapping edge rather than directly at it, the patent prevents the overlapping edge from becoming a source of adhesive leakage while still utilizing it for structural connection.
2Strength
If a large overlap width is used to ensure adequate attachment, then the attachment strength increases, but material usage increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the overlap width parameter to a specific range (0.5-5 mm) that provides sufficient attachment strength while minimizing material consumption. This parameter optimization is achieved through the strategic positioning of adhesive areas that maximize bonding efficiency within a reduced overlap zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying adhesive across the entire overlapping edge, the patent applies adhesive only in specific partial areas (first and second areas at defined distances from the overlapping edge). This partial action approach provides adequate attachment strength without the excess material usage that would result from full-edge adhesive application.
3Reliability
If adhesive is applied at the overlapping edge, then the sleeve is closed effectively, but adhesive leakage onto the exterior occurs and aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of adhesive leakage into a benefit by strategically positioning the second adhesive area at a distance from the overlapping edge. This positioning ensures that the overlapping edge remains free of excess adhesive that would leak onto the exterior, while the second adhesive area still provides effective sleeve closure through its distance-based attachment to the internal wall.
4Loss of substance
If the overlap width is reduced to save material, then material costs decrease, but the attachment reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameters of adhesive area positioning and overlap width to achieve optimal performance. By setting the overlap width to 0.5-5 mm and positioning adhesive areas at specific distances from edges, the patent maintains attachment reliability with significantly reduced material usage compared to conventional larger overlap designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive areas are preliminarily positioned at optimized locations before the actual attachment process. The first adhesive area is placed at a distance from the leading edge, and the second adhesive area is placed at a distance from the overlapping edge, ensuring that when the sleeve is formed, these pre-positioned adhesive areas provide reliable attachment without requiring excessive overlap width.
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 increases the cup's stability, reduces manufacturing costs, and facilitates easier stacking and handling by eliminating adhesive leakage and unnecessary material, while maintaining effective thermal isolation.
Implementation Method 1
The corrugated material of the external sleeve provides for a thermal isolation of the cup
Implementation Method 2
providing adhesive on two opposing edges of the blank of corrugated material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Cup (1) with an internal wall (2) and an external sleeve (5), the sleeve being formed from a blank (10) of corrugated material comprising a corrugated layer (6) and a Substrate layer (7) and being arranged such that the Substrate layer (7) faces towards the internal wall of the cup. A first end (12) of the blank (10) is overlapped at least partially by a second end (14) of the blank in an overlapping area (19). Further, the sleeve (5) is adhesively attached to the internal wall of the cup (1) at least by a first area (15) of adhesive being provided on an inner side of the sleeve on the first end of the blank and by a second area (17) of adhesive being provided on an inner side of the sleeve on the second end of the blank. The second area (17) of adhesive is provided at a distance from the overlapping edge (13) of the blank, thereby attaching each end of the blank (10) separately to the internal wall of the cup (1).