Hollow-Chamber Plastic Base for Smoked Fish Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional food packaging for fish lacks a balance between low weight, high stability, durability, and food compatibility, often compromising on either weight or durability, and does not inherently resist liquids without special treatments.

Innovation Solution

A hollow-chamber multi-wall sheet made of plastic with a total thickness of less than 2 mm is used as a semi-rigid base, featuring micro-perforation for air permeability and breathability, and a polypropylene material for enhanced durability and liquid resistance, combined with a film-like cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If cardboard is used as the base material for food packaging, then the packaging is lightweight, but the mechanical strength and resistance to liquid damage are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging weightVSAvoidmechanical strength and liquid resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a multi-wall sheet made of plastic (specifically polypropylene) as the base material, replacing traditional cardboard. This composite structure with multiple walls provides enhanced mechanical strength, durability, and inherent liquid resistance while maintaining lightweight properties, thus resolving the contradiction between weight and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a thin plastic base (less than 2 mm thick) with a multi-wall structure that provides flexibility and strength. The plastic material forms a flexible yet durable shell that resists mechanical damage and liquid penetration without requiring special surface treatments, addressing both weight and strength requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Weight of moving object

If the base thickness is reduced to achieve low weight, then the packaging becomes lightweight, but the deformation resistance and mechanical durability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase weightVSAvoiddeformation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The base is designed as a multi-wall sheet with multiple internal walls or chambers, segmenting the internal structure. This segmentation provides structural reinforcement and deformation resistance while keeping the overall thickness and weight low, as the distributed wall structure efficiently resists mechanical stresses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-layer thin base to a multi-dimensional multi-wall structure. By adding internal walls and chambers, the structure gains three-dimensional strength and deformation resistance while maintaining a thin overall profile, thus achieving high mechanical performance at low weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If conventional plastic packaging is used, then durability is improved, but food compatibility and breathability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidfood quality degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates micro-perforations in the plastic base, creating a porous structure that allows breathability and air permeability. This enables the packaging to maintain durability while being compatible with food storage, as the micro-pores allow controlled gas exchange without compromising the structural integrity or liquid resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

4Reliability

If special surface treatments are applied to achieve liquid resistance, then liquid protection is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid resistanceVSAvoidsurface treatment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses polypropylene as the base material, which inherently possesses liquid-resistant properties without requiring additional surface treatments. The homogeneous plastic material provides natural protection against liquid penetration, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing complexity while maintaining reliable liquid resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP3336006B1Use of food packaging
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 SCHEIDT MARKUS
  • EP3336006B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Food packaging, in particular for smoked fish (12), comprising a plate-shaped, semi-rigid base (14) for the food, and a cover (16) held on the base and covering the food, characterized in that the base (14) is a hollow-chambered sheet made of plastic.