Frangible Article Protection Device with Mesh Lateral Portion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for protecting frangible articles during transportation, such as wine bottles, are inadequate as they do not effectively absorb shocks from outside the container and require time-consuming manual assembly, making them impractical for wineries shipping large quantities.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a base portion, mesh-shaped lateral portion, and attachment portion made of shock-absorbing materials like EVA or paperboard, which can be easily assembled around the article by transitioning between a rest and gripping configuration, providing comprehensive shock protection and allowing for quick and efficient assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If paperboard sheets are inserted among bottles, then some protection from shocks is provided, but the protection is insufficient against shocks from outside the box and shocks among bottles are not absorbed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock protectionVSAvoidprotection effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device nests multiple functional elements within a single integrated structure: a base portion that fits around the bottle, lateral portions that extend upward to provide side protection, and a top portion that covers the bottle opening. This nested configuration ensures comprehensive shock absorption from all directions while maintaining a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device utilizes composite material construction combining paperboard layers with shock-absorbing materials. The lateral portions specifically employ shock-absorbing material to effectively dampen impacts from outside the container and between bottles, while the base and top portions provide structural support and bottle engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If secure box with spacers is used, then bottle protection is improved by separating bottles, but manual assembly requires about three minutes per box which is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock protectionVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device merges the base portion, lateral portions, and top portion into a single integrated unit that can be assembled in one operation. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps required by traditional secure box systems with multiple spacers, reducing assembly time from three minutes to a fraction of that time while maintaining comprehensive shock protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral portions are designed with dynamic characteristics, being made of shock-absorbing material that can deform under impact to protect the bottle. This dynamic response allows the device to effectively absorb shocks from various directions while the integrated structure enables rapid deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If secure box approach is used, then bottle separation and protection is achieved, but customization is impossible as logistic companies do not offer branding options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock protectionVSAvoidcustomization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device incorporates designated areas with different properties: the lateral portions made of shock-absorbing material for impact protection, while the base and top portions can be configured with different materials or surface characteristics. This allows for localized customization such as branding areas on the base portion that do not compromise the shock-absorbing functionality of the lateral portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 device effectively absorbs shocks and can be quickly assembled around frangible articles, reducing assembly time and enabling customization, making it suitable for wineries and improving transportation safety.

Implementation Method 1

A device comprising a base portion, mesh-shaped lateral portion, and attachment portion made of shock-absorbing materials like EVA or paperboard

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3747791B1Device for protecting frangible articles
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 PASINI PIER MAURIZIO SRL
  • EP3747791B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP3747791B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3747791B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device for protecting frangible articles comprises a base portion (11) suitable to abut a lower surface of a frangible article (2); a lateral portion (12) shaped as a mesh, suitable to cover lateral portions of said frangible article (2) and extending from the base portion (11); and an attachment portion (13) suitable to be attached to an upper portion of the frangible article (2), connected to the upper end of said lateral portion (12). The device (1) is made of a material selected between ethylene vinyl acetate and paperboard.