Heat-Shrinkable Holder for Articles Using Segmented Sheet Openings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging methods, such as stretch-loaded carriers and shrink-wrapping, face challenges including difficulty in removing individual items without compromising the entire package, potential damage from item contact, and inefficiencies in material use and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A heat-shrinkable holder system using two sheets of heat-shrinkable material joined to create openings larger than the articles, allowing for secure unitization without direct contact and enabling easy removal of items, with options for printed indicia and handles, and various configurations for different article arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stretch-loaded carriers are used to secure containers, then the containers are unitized into a package, but it becomes difficult to remove individual containers without compromising package integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is formed from multiple separate sheets (first sheet, second sheet, and additional sheets) that are joined at discrete locations to create individual openings. Each opening independently secures one or more containers, allowing individual containers to be removed without affecting the integrity of other openings or the entire package structure.
2Reliability
If conventional shrink-wrapping is used, then the film extends around the outside of articles, but individual articles contact each other possibly leading to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The holder creates separate, isolated openings for each container using multiple sheets joined at discrete locations. This segmentation prevents direct contact between adjacent containers, eliminating the harmful effect of article-to-article contact while maintaining protective packaging.
3Reliability
If stretch-loaded carriers are used, then containers are secured, but the complexity of manufacture and use increases substantially with the number of containers
Solution Approach 1:
The holder design using multiple sheets joined at discrete locations can accommodate various numbers and arrangements of containers (e.g., six-pack, twelve-pack, or other configurations) without requiring fundamentally different manufacturing processes. The same basic structure scales to different container quantities, reducing manufacturing complexity.
4Reliability
If stretch-loaded carriers are used, then containers are unitized, but a fair amount of force and complicated machinery is required to stretch the carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The holder uses heat-shrinkable material that is stretched during manufacturing and then heat-treated to set the stretched configuration. This parameter change from mechanical stretching to thermal setting reduces the force and complicated machinery needed during the unitization process, as the material maintains its stretched shape through thermal properties rather than continuous mechanical force.
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 heat-shrinkable holder system effectively secures articles without direct contact, allows for easy removal of individual items, and reduces material waste, while maintaining package integrity and simplifying manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit
Implementation Method 2
The first and second sheets are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit
Data Source
AI summary
A heat-shrinkable holder is disclosed for securing a plurality of articles. The holder may include a first sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material, and a second sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material and joined to the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit. Various modifications and additions are possible, including use of more than three sheets, providing for the reading of printed indicia on the articles or holder, providing a handle. Numerous orientations and collections of articles are possible. Related packages including a holder and articles are also disclosed, as well as related methods of manufacture of the holder and package.