Fire Suppressing Pleated Packaging Paper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pleated paper lacks fire resistance and suppressive capabilities, making it unsuitable for packaging items that pose fire hazards, such as lithium-ion batteries, and is prone to ignition and thermal runaway during transit.

Innovation Solution

Producing pleated paper with fire suppressive characteristics by using Kraft paper coated with a fire suppressive ink applied via flexographic printing, featuring wider pleat angles and lower heights, and bonding with heavier Kraft paper for enhanced strength and resilience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pleated paper is used for packaging, then it provides good protective qualities and is recyclable/biodegradable, but it lacks fire resistance and is prone to ignition and thermal runaway

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidignition and thermal runaway
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining pleated paper with fire suppressive ink containing inorganic fusible salts and aqueous binders. This creates a composite packaging material that maintains the recyclability and protective qualities of paper while adding fire resistance through the chemical composition of the ink coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the paper surface by applying a fire suppressive ink coating containing specific inorganic fusible salts (such as boron-containing compounds, sulfate compounds, phosphate salts, or silicates) and aqueous binders. This parameter change transforms the flammable paper into a fire-resistant material that suppresses combustion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If fire suppressive ink is applied to Kraft paper, then fire resistance is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical fire protection systems with a chemical solution. Instead of using mechanical barriers or active fire suppression systems, the invention applies a chemical coating (fire suppressive ink with inorganic fusible salts and aqueous binders) that provides fire resistance through chemical reactions, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the surface parameters of Kraft paper by applying a fire suppressive ink coating. This parameter change involves altering the chemical composition and surface properties of the paper to achieve fire resistance, which can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes without requiring complete process redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If pleated paper is used to cushion and protect contents, then protective qualities are improved, but environmental friendliness is reduced due to non-recyclability and non-biodegradability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective qualitiesVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of discarding and recovering by using pleated paper that is fully recyclable and biodegradable. The fire suppressive ink coating is designed to be compatible with paper recycling processes, allowing the material to be recovered and reused, thereby eliminating the environmental harm associated with traditional plastic packaging materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 resulting pleated paper effectively contains and suppresses fires, preventing thermal runaway and protecting contents from damage, while maintaining recyclability and environmental friendliness.

Implementation Method 1

The ink creates a barrier to heat transfer and undergoes a chemical reaction upon heating that forms water, cools and suppresses a fire.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater release from inorganic fusible salts: Endothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

The ink creates a barrier to heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer barrier: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

The fire suppressive ink is applied to all surfaces of the Kraft paper using a flexographic printing technique

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlexographic printing:

Data Source

PatentEP3867062B1Fire suppressing pleated packaging paper and method of manufacturing
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 PACKAGING & CRATING TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3867062B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3867062B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention includes pleated paper and planar paper coated with a fire suppressive ink, wherein the pleated paper is Kraft paper with a weight of 25 to 50 pounds, with pleat angles of about 88 to 92°, and pleat heights between approximately 3/32 of an inch and 1/8 of an inch, and the planar paper is Kraft paper with a weight of 40 to 60 pounds. The fire suppressive ink is preferably applied with a flexographic printing process and preferably comprises at least one inorganic fusible salt and an organic resin. The inventive pleated paper is an environmentally friendly packaging material with improved protective qualities, which can also shield items from fire, contain fires, and suppress fires to avoid thermal runaway. The inventive paper is particularly useful for packaging and shipping flammable items, such as lithium-ion batteries.