Fiber-Based Packaging with Nested Elements for Shape Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber-based packaging materials, such as paper and cardboard, face limitations in forming steep flanks and precise shapes due to their mechanical properties, making it difficult to create packaging that effectively adapts to the shape of the goods and prevents displacement or slipping.

Innovation Solution

A packaging design featuring two fiber-based packaging elements with a cavity formed by a bulging process and a contour that extends towards the other element, both created using forming processes like deep-drawing, which helps in securing the goods by limiting their mobility and preventing slipping, while allowing for easy opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fiber-based packaging materials are formed using deep-drawing processes, then the packaging can be manufactured efficiently, but steep flanks cannot be produced and the packaging materials become unstable or tear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidshape precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into two separate packaging elements that are connected at their peripheral edge regions. This segmentation allows each element to be formed with gentler curvature requirements that are suitable for fiber-based materials, while together they create an enclosed packaging structure that effectively contains the goods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

One packaging element is inserted into the other packaging element, with the first element having a cavity that receives the second element. This nested configuration allows the packaging to achieve form-fitting enclosure while maintaining manufacturability with fiber-based materials that cannot withstand steep flanks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If steep flanks are formed in fiber-based packaging materials, then the packaging shape can be precisely adapted to the goods, but the packaging materials become unstable or tear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape adaptabilityVSAvoidpackaging stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the packaging into two elements with gentler individual curvatures, the system achieves overall shape adaptability to the goods without requiring any single element to have steep flanks that would compromise stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging achieves form-fitting enclosure through the three-dimensional arrangement of two elements in a nested configuration, rather than relying on steep flanks in a single element. This dimensional approach allows adaptability while maintaining material stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fiber-based packaging materials are used instead of plastics, then environmental compatibility and recycling options improve, but the ability to form precise shapes and steep flanks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental compatibilityVSAvoidshape precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging design segments the structure into two elements, allowing fiber-based materials to be used throughout while achieving effective shape adaptation through their combined nested arrangement, thus maintaining environmental compatibility without sacrificing functional precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention achieves shape precision through the spatial relationship between two elements in three-dimensional space, rather than relying on steep flanks in a single element, enabling fiber-based materials to provide both environmental benefits and adequate form-fitting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design provides effective fixation and protection against displacement of packaged goods, enhancing the adaptability and stability of fiber-based packaging while maintaining ease of production and environmental compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the packaging elements has at least one cavity formed by a forming process, which is curved away from the other packaging element and forms a receiving volume for receiving the packaged item

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

The peripheral edge region (in the contact plane), the walls of the bulge, and the base of the bulge each merge with (gentle) radii of curvature of the fiber-based packaging material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4299468A1Package made of fibre-based packaging material
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 HESSER PACKAGING GMBH
  • EP4299468A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4299468A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4299468A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Packaging (1) comprising two packaging elements (2) which have circumferential edge regions (4) that abut each other in a contact plane (3), wherein the packaging elements (2) are each formed with a fiber-based packaging material (5) and are configured to enclose a package item (6) together, wherein at least one of the packaging elements (2) has at least one cavity (7) formed by a forming process which is bulged outwards from the other packaging element (2) and forms a receiving volume (8) for receiving the package item (6), and wherein at least one of the packaging elements (2) has a contour (9) formed by a forming process which extends towards the other packaging element (2) and which serves to fix the package item (6) within the receiving volume (8).