Honeycomb Cardboard Wedging Module with Corrugated Flaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wedging devices, such as those made of polystyrene, molded cellulose, cellular cardboard, and corrugated cardboard, face issues like being heavy, difficult to mold, abrasive, poor shock absorption, and insufficient production capacity, failing to adequately protect objects from damage during transport.

Innovation Solution

A wedging module comprising a hollowed-out cellular cardboard sheet with recesses and a corrugated cardboard plate, where the corrugated cardboard plate is assembled to the cellular cardboard plate with flaps that extend over the entire height of the recess to protect against abrasive edges and absorb shocks, providing enhanced protection and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If honeycomb cardboard is embossed to improve shock absorption, then shock absorption is improved, but overall strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock absorptionVSAvoidoverall strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the protective function into separate components: the honeycomb cardboard provides shock absorption through its cellular structure, while the corrugated cardboard with flaps provides structural strength and abrasion protection. This segmentation allows each material to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining honeycomb cardboard and corrugated cardboard with flaps. The honeycomb layer absorbs shocks through its deformable cellular structure, while the corrugated layer with flaps provides rigid protection against abrasion and maintains overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If corrugated cardboard edges are used to reduce cost, then cost is reduced, but abrasion protection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidabrasion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flaps act as an intermediary protective layer between the object and the potentially abrasive edges of the recess. These flaps are made from the same corrugated cardboard material but are positioned to extend into the recess, providing a soft barrier that prevents direct contact between the object and sharp edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flaps function as flexible protective barriers that can deform to accommodate the object while still providing protection. They are thin extensions of the corrugated cardboard that fold into the recess to line the edges, creating a flexible shield against abrasion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If molded cellulose is used as an eco-friendly alternative, then environmental friendliness is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from dense molded cellulose to a hollow corrugated cardboard structure with honeycomb reinforcement. This parameter change maintains environmental friendliness by using recyclable paper-based materials while dramatically reducing weight through the hollow cellular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs porous honeycomb cardboard and hollow corrugated cardboard structures that provide protective functions with minimal material usage. The porous cellular structure offers shock absorption and structural strength while maintaining very low weight compared to solid molded materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

4Reliability

If hollow corrugated cardboard with recesses is used to secure objects, then object securing is improved, but abrasive edges are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject securingVSAvoidabrasive edges
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flaps serve as an intermediary element that lines the recess walls and edges. They are extensions of the corrugated cardboard that fold into the recess to create a protective barrier, allowing the recess to maintain its object-securing geometry while eliminating direct contact between the object and abrasive edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Reliability

If polystyrene is used for cushioning, then shock absorption is improved, but environmental impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock absorptionVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material composition from synthetic polystyrene to paper-based honeycomb and corrugated cardboard materials. This parameter change maintains shock absorption performance through the cellular structure geometry while improving environmental sustainability through recyclability and biodegradability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite protective structure using honeycomb cardboard and corrugated cardboard with flaps. This composite approach replicates the shock absorption functionality of polystyrene using layered paper-based materials with cellular structures, achieving similar protective performance with eco-friendly materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution effectively protects objects from abrasive edges and maintains them securely within the wedging module, offering improved shock absorption and rigidity while addressing the limitations of existing materials.

Implementation Method 1

the flaps help to hold the object securely within the recess and to absorb shocks via the stabilizing module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a corrugated cardboard sheet comprising two parallel outer sheets of paper between which extends at least one fluted sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrugation: Corrugation

Implementation Method 3

Honeycomb cardboard, although relatively bulky, offers good resistance to impacts perpendicular to the two parallel sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact resistance: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3858758B1Module for wedging an object made of cardboard and wedging device comprising at least two stacked modules
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 SMURFIT KAPPA FRANCE
  • EP3858758B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3858758B1 patent drawingFigure 2~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a cushioning module (1) for an object comprising: - a hollowed-out honeycomb cardboard sheet (10) comprising two parallel outer sheets of paper (11, 12) and a plurality of paper sheets (13) perpendicular to the two outer sheets, having at least one opening (14) on at least one side, - a corrugated cardboard sheet (20) comprising at least one fluted sheet (23) between two parallel outer sheets of paper (21, 22). An outer sheet of the corrugated cardboard sheet (20) is assembled to an outer sheet of the hollowed-out honeycomb cardboard sheet (10) on which said at least one opening (14) is located. The corrugated cardboard sheet (20) is provided with a plurality of flaps (24i) folded inside each recess (14) of the corrugated cardboard sheet, the flaps being connected to the corrugated cardboard sheet along one edge of the recess.