Flexible Container Cover with Detectable Folded Pouches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container covers are unsuitable for containers with varying geometries, difficult to apply, and pose contamination risks due to dislodged fragments, which are not easily detectable and can harm products or consumers.
Innovation Solution
A flexible sheet material cover with integrated detectable materials and sealed folded portions that form a chamber, suitable for various container sizes, ensuring a friction fit and detectable by X-ray or metal detectors, reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid covering is used to provide a tight seal with container sidewalls, then the seal quality is improved, but the adaptability to different container geometries deteriorates and the cost of replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sheet material cover that can conform to different container geometries while maintaining an effective seal. The flexible nature allows the cover to adapt to varying container profiles without requiring precise geometric matching, thus resolving the contradiction between seal quality and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover design incorporates foldable portions that can be adjusted to different positions and configurations. By changing the spatial parameters of the folded portions, the same cover can effectively seal containers with different geometries, maintaining seal quality while improving adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a sheet material cover is used to reduce cost and enable disposal, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ease of application deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet material cover is divided into a main body portion and separate folded portions. This segmentation allows the cover to be applied more easily by enabling the folded portions to be positioned and secured independently, improving ease of application while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of sheet material construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded portions are pre-formed and integrated into the sheet material cover during manufacturing. This preliminary action prepares the cover for easier field application, as the folded portions are already in their functional configuration rather than requiring complex on-site assembly.
3Reliability
If the cover is made tight to prevent falling into the container, then the cover retention is improved, but the risk of contamination from dislodged fragments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable sheet material cover that is designed to be replaced rather than reused. This approach eliminates the contamination risk from dislodged fragments, as any dislodged material can be easily removed and replaced with a new cover, maintaining both retention and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover incorporates detectable materials that enable visualization of the cover and its fragments through detection systems. This allows for the detection and removal of any dislodged fragments, reducing contamination risk while maintaining adequate cover retention during transport.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If detectable materials are integrated into the sheet material, then the detectability of contaminants is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates detectable materials into the sheet material cover to create a composite structure. This allows standard detection equipment to identify the presence of covers and their fragments, improving detectability. The integration is achieved through conventional manufacturing techniques, keeping the increase in manufacturing complexity manageable.
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 cover effectively seals and detects contaminants, allowing swift removal before distribution, ensuring product safety and compliance with safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
detectable by X-ray or metal detectors
Implementation Method 2
detectable by X-ray or metal detectors
Implementation Method 3
ensuring a friction fit
Data Source
AI summary
A cover apparatus for covering an opening of a container such as an open topped container, known as a tote bin or dump buggy, for the reception of perishables or foodstuffs therein, the cover apparatus comprised of a flexible sheet material and includes first and second folded portions respectively located adjacent to opposing edges of, and co-planar with, the remainder of the said cover apparatus. The folded portions are movable to a partially unfolded position to contact with an adjacent side wall of the container such that the opening of the container is substantially covered by the remainder of the cover apparatus and the folded portions including welds or seals to form a chamber or pouch when at least partially unfolded. The cover apparatus can include materials which allow the cover apparatus, or a fragment thereof, to be rendered detectable by metal and/or X-ray detection apparatus.