Expandable Packaging Member Concealment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gift bags and similar receptacles with open tops fail to effectively conceal objects inside, leading to wastage of tissue paper and requiring separate procurement and handling, resulting in an unattractive appearance.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system featuring a receptacle with pre-attached or attachable expandable members that can move from a collapsed to an expanded configuration, obscuring the view of objects within while keeping the top opening open, using materials like tissue paper, tulle, or polyester film attached to the interior surfaces of the receptacle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tissue paper is placed within the receptacle to obscure objects, then the decorative appearance and concealment are improved, but the time required for placement increases and tissue paper waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue paper is pre-attached to the receptacle in a collapsed state before use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate placement during assembly, reducing time loss while maintaining the concealment function when expanded.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue paper is folded into a compact, nested configuration that fits within the receptacle's volume. This nesting allows the full functional area of the tissue paper to be stored in a minimal space, enabling easy attachment without adding significant volume.
2Ease of manufacture
If tissue paper is placed within the receptacle to obscure objects, then the decorative appearance is improved, but tissue paper waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue paper transitions from a collapsed static state during storage and transport to an expanded dynamic state during use. This dynamic transformation allows the same material to provide full decorative coverage when needed while occupying minimal space when not in use, reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue paper is divided into multiple folded sections or layers that can be independently arranged. This segmentation allows for more efficient material utilization, where each section contributes to the overall decorative effect without requiring excess material.
3Ease of manufacture
If the receptacle top is closed to conceal objects, then the concealment is improved, but the accessibility and ease of use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue paper acts as an intermediary element that provides concealment without requiring physical closure of the receptacle. It fills the visual space between the viewer and the contents, maintaining both concealment and accessibility simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The concealment function is applied locally at the top opening where it is most needed for visual obscurement, rather than closing the entire receptacle. This localized approach maintains accessibility while achieving the concealment effect where it matters most.
4Device complexity
If expandable members are pre-attached to the receptacle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the attachment process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable members are pre-attached to the receptacle in a collapsed state during manufacturing. This preliminary attachment simplifies the final assembly process for the user, reducing the complexity they encounter while the manufacturing process handles the attachment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable members are attached in a compact, nested configuration that minimizes the space required during attachment. This nesting makes the attachment process more manageable and reduces the complexity of handling large, unwieldy components during manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are packaging systems having a receptacle and one or a plurality of expandable members that are configured to move from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. In some variations the expandable member includes one or a plurality of folded pieces of material (e.g., tissue paper or fabric (e.g., tulle)), which are attached to the receptacle. In the expanded configuration, the expandable member(s) obscure an object (e.g., a gift) placed within the receptacle without closing the receptacle.