Foldable Can Packaging with Segmented Top Cover Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging methods for tins lack stability and visibility, exposing them to external agents, and are either costly or ineffective in protecting the top part and side surfaces, failing to meet marketing and hygienic requirements.
Innovation Solution
A foldable sheet packaging arrangement with specific openings in the top cover to engage the tins, providing stability and visibility while protecting the opening devices, and optionally using a transparent film for added security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a sheet of material is folded and tacked to contain tins, then the tins are packaged together for transport and storage, but the tins lack stability and can move around in the gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The top cover is segmented into multiple openings, each corresponding to a specific tin. This segmentation allows the packaging to adapt to the discrete nature of the tins while maintaining stability through precise engagement of each individual tin within its designated opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The top cover has different local qualities: areas with openings for tin engagement and areas without openings for protection. This local differentiation allows the same cover structure to simultaneously provide visibility/access to some regions and protection to others.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the top part of the tin is covered to ensure stability, then the packaging is tighter and more secure, but the product becomes invisible from outside and marketing requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The top cover is divided into openings and covered areas. The openings are positioned and sized to expose the tab or opening device of each tin, allowing consumers to see and access the product information and opening mechanism while the rest of the tin remains protected and stable within the packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings in the top cover act as intermediaries between the consumer and the tin's opening device. They allow visual access to marketing information and physical access to the tab while maintaining the protective function of the overall packaging structure.
3Ease of operation
If transparent plastic film is used to grip tins, then the tins are held together and storage is facilitated, but the entire outer surface is exposed to external agents like dust and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a foldable sheet material forming a containment volume with a top cover that provides protective enclosure. This flexible shell structure replaces the transparent film approach by offering both the grouping function and the protective function, preventing dust and dirt accumulation while maintaining ease of storage and transport.
4Stability of the object's composition
If cardboard sheet adhering to tins is used for tight packaging, then stability is improved, but considerable precision in implementation is required making the machinery costly
Solution Approach 1:
The top cover incorporates discrete openings that correspond to each tin's position and dimensions. This segmentation provides built-in positioning features that guide the tins into correct placement during packaging, reducing the precision requirements for the packaging machinery while maintaining tight and stable packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable sheet material serves multiple functions: forming the containment volume, creating the top cover with openings, providing protection, and enabling stable packaging. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall packaging system and reduces the need for complex, specialized machinery.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a tin packaging arrangement comprising a sheet of foldable material folded around a plurality of tins, which are arranged together in an orderly manner for the relative packaging, to form a containment volume for the tins themselves, said volume being substantially defined by a base, a side surface, and a top cover obtained from the sheet in a continuous way. A peculiarity of the present invention is that openings are made in the top cover of the sheet of the packaging arrangement, within which top portions of the tins engage.