Flexible Carrier Apertures for Soft Container Unitization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional container carriers are ineffective in unitizing soft and flexible containers while minimizing packaging waste and providing a visually appealing display.

Innovation Solution

A flexible carrier with an array of container receiving apertures arranged in rows, each engaging containers under a sealed flap, and featuring a handle for secure handling, allowing for tight unitization and efficient packaging of flexible containers like TETRA PAK containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If conventional rigid carriers are used for flexible containers, then the containers can be unitized, but the packaging creates excess waste and does not provide a visually appealing display

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging wasteVSAvoidsuitability for flexible containers

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a flexible carrier made from a single piece of flexible material that forms apertures to receive flexible containers. The carrier itself is flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to adapt to and properly unitize flexible containers while minimizing packaging waste and providing an attractive display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If flexible ring carriers are used for rigid containers, then the containers can be unitized efficiently, but they are ineffective for soft and flexible containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunitization efficiencyVSAvoidcompatibility with flexible containers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by changing the physical parameters of the carrier from rigid to flexible, and from a ring structure to an aperture structure formed from a single piece of flexible material. This allows the carrier to maintain unitization efficiency while becoming compatible with flexible containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If flexible packaging is placed in rigid boxes, then the containers are protected, but packaging waste increases and the display appeal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer protectionVSAvoidpackaging waste

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by creating a flexible carrier that serves multiple functions: it protects flexible containers during handling and transport, provides an attractive display by openly presenting the containers, and minimizes packaging waste by eliminating the need for additional rigid outer boxes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9957093B2Container package

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers within a plurality of corresponding container receiving apertures wherein each container receiving aperture is stretched around a perimeter of a corresponding container and positioned under a flap extending downward from the corresponding container.