Interlocking Packaging Element for Compact Product Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging methods for transporting multiple similar products are inefficient, requiring excessive materials, leading to low packing density, high unpacking effort, and increased waste, while also posing a risk of damage due to product collisions during transport.
Innovation Solution
A packaging element comprising two interlocking parts with connecting sides that form a common plane for stacking, allowing products to be securely supported and stacked compactly, using identical parts for simplicity and reduced material usage, and featuring a predetermined breaking section for easy separation and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If several products are packed in a single carton, then material usage is reduced, but products risk colliding and becoming damaged during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging element is divided into two separate packaging parts that can be arranged in a stacking position with their connecting sides abutting one another. This segmentation allows each part to independently support products while maintaining structural integrity, preventing product collision during transport while using less material than a single solid carton.
2Reliability
If individually packaged products are stacked on pallets, then product protection is ensured, but packing density is low and material usage is high
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple packaging elements with the two-part structure are merged into a collective packaging system where connecting sides of different packaging parts abut one another to form a stable stack. This merging creates high packing density while maintaining individual product protection, reducing the total amount of packaging material needed compared to traditional individual packaging methods.
3Reliability
If customized packaging solutions are used for each product, then product protection is improved, but packaging effort and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging element is designed as a universal component with two standardized parts that can be arranged in stacking positions to protect various products. The connecting sides are designed to abut one another in a common connecting plane, allowing the same packaging structure to be used for different product types and sizes, reducing packaging complexity while maintaining effective protection.
4Reliability
If high levels of packaging are used for each product, then product safety is improved, but unpacking effort and waste disposal effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging element incorporates a predetermined breaking section that allows the packaging to be dynamically separated into its two parts for easy unpacking. This dynamic feature enables quick opening and product removal without excessive effort, while the broken parts can be easily disposed of or recycled, reducing time and effort for both unpacking and waste management.
Data Source
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Figure 2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a packaging element (2) comprising a first packaging part (3) and a second packaging part (4), each of which has a connecting side (30, 40) extending in a plane (E3, E4) and a product support side (31, 41) opposite the respective connecting side (30, 40), wherein the connecting sides (30, 40) are designed such that, in a stacked position of the packaging parts (3, 4), they can be arranged or are arranged with their connecting sides (30, 40) abutting one another in a common connecting plane (E) in order to support each other with their product sides facing away from one another perpendicular to the connecting plane (E) via the connecting sides (30, 40). The present invention further relates to a package or a multipack (1) with at least two of the packaging elements (2) according to the invention.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a product packaging (100) comprising the packaging (1) according to the invention and several products (10) packaged therein. The present invention further relates to a method for packaging products (10) using the packaging elements (2).