Cardboard Detergent Carton with High Fill for Stable Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detergent packaging systems face challenges in ensuring transport and storage stability of detergent units while minimizing the use of non-recyclable and non-biodegradable materials, and they often require excessive packaging to maintain chemical and physical integrity.

Innovation Solution

The use of cardboard-based outer packaging with high fill levels, incorporating void volumes in side walls and a resealable design, along with water-insoluble cover films or biodegradable hydrophobic coatings, enhances physical and chemical stability while reducing material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If detergent units are packaged in individual flow packs with water-insoluble polymer films, then transport and storage stability is improved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates due to non-recyclable and non-biodegradable materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport and storage stabilityVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system is divided into two functional segments: a recyclable cardboard outer packaging providing structural protection and a biodegradable inner lining providing moisture barrier. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while enabling overall sustainability through separation and recycling of the cardboard component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by using cardboard with specific COBB value (moisture absorption characteristic) and controlling the inner lining material properties. By adjusting these parameters, the packaging achieves both protection and sustainability, replacing traditional water-insoluble polymer films with biodegradable alternatives that maintain necessary protective functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional packaging materials are used to ensure chemical stability, then detergent integrity is maintained, but material usage increases and recyclability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidpackaging material usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the packaging system have different qualities: the cardboard outer packaging provides structural integrity and recyclability, while the biodegradable inner lining provides localized moisture barrier exactly where needed to protect the detergent. This local differentiation reduces overall material usage compared to using protective material throughout the entire packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging uses a composite structure combining cardboard and biodegradable polymer lining. This composite material approach allows the system to achieve both chemical protection and sustainability, as the combination provides the necessary barrier properties while using recyclable and biodegradable materials that reduce environmental impact and material waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If high fill levels are used in outer packaging, then packaging material efficiency is improved, but transport and storage stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging material efficiencyVSAvoidtransport and storage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The biodegradable inner lining acts as a cushioning layer between the detergent units and the cardboard outer packaging. This beforehand cushioning protects the detergent units during transport and storage, allowing high fill levels to be achieved without compromising stability, as the inner lining absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The biodegradable inner lining functions as a flexible thin film that conforms to the detergent units while providing protection. This flexible film allows tight packing and high fill levels while maintaining the physical and chemical integrity of the detergent units during transport and storage through its protective barrier properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 provides improved transport and storage stability with minimal packaging material, maintaining chemical integrity and reducing environmental impact through recyclable and biodegradable materials.

Implementation Method 1

the pre-portioned detergent or cleaning agent dosing units are individually packaged using waterproof packaging materials, such as flow packs based on water-insoluble polymer films

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater insolubility:

Implementation Method 2

the COBB value of the cardboard forming the folding box, which is characteristic of the subject matter of the claim, improves the storage and transport stability of detergent molded bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoisture absorption resistance:

Implementation Method 3

water-insoluble cover films or biodegradable hydrophobic coatings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP4053040B1Detergent delivery mould
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

Detergent packaging form comprising a) an outer packaging in the form of a folding carton made of cardboard, with a base, a lid and side walls connecting the base and lid, b) cuboid detergent bodies, wherein i) the outer packaging has a fill level of 85% to 99% by volume and ii) the cardboard used to manufacture the folding carton has a COBB value below 30 g/m².