Flexible Cellulosic Honeycomb Packaging Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging and void space filling materials like Bubble Wrap are not environmentally friendly due to their non-recyclable and non-biodegradable plastic composition, and they have limited structural properties.

Innovation Solution

A flexible cellulosic fiber-based material with a three-dimensional geometrically patterned structure, such as a honeycomb design, is developed, featuring a core portion with cellulosic fiber-based walls and lower grammage liners, allowing for air space and flexibility, which can be rolled and adapted to various shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If plastic-based materials like Bubble Wrap are used for packaging, then cushioning and flexibility are provided, but environmental friendliness deteriorates due to non-recyclability and non-biodegradability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidcushioning performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to cellulosic fiber, transforming the environmental properties while maintaining structural functionality. The cellulosic fiber-based material with grammage between 60-200 g/m² provides the same cushioning effect as plastic bubble wrap but with biodegradable and recyclable properties, directly resolving the environmental harm issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material construction by bonding cellulosic fiber-based material to paperboard substrates. This composite structure combines the cushioning properties of the fiber material with the structural integrity of paperboard, maintaining reliability while improving environmental friendliness through fully recyclable and biodegradable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional packaging materials are used, then structural support is provided, but adaptability to various shapes and sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to shapes and sizesVSAvoidstructural support

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible cellulosic fiber-based material with grammage between 60-200 g/m² that can be easily conform ed to various shapes and sizes of packaged items. The material's inherent flexibility allows it to wrap around irregular geometries while the bonded paperboard structure provides the necessary structural support, simultaneously achieving adaptability and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Weight of moving object

If lightweight materials are used for packaging, then ease of handling is improved, but structural properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial weightVSAvoidstructural properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system where lightweight cellulosic fiber-based material (60-200 g/m²) is bonded to paperboard substrates. This combination maintains overall lightness for easy handling while the paperboard component provides enhanced structural properties, resolving the contradiction between weight and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS9649823B2Flexible cellulosic fiber-based honeycomb material

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 CASCADES CANADA INC

AI summary

A flexible packaging material including: a core portion having a geometrically patterned structure defining two spaced-apart substantially planar faces and providing air space therebetween, the core portion including cellulosic fiber-based walls having a core grammage; and at least one cellulosic fiber-based liner bonded to a respective one of the planar faces of the core portion and having a liner grammage lower than the core grammage, the material being flexible along a plane defined by the at least one liner.