Lateral Overlapping Packaging Unit for Adhesive Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging methods for articles arranged in a single row, such as OTO packaging, face issues with adhesive escape and untidy formation due to small overlapping areas, especially when reach-through openings are present, leading to contamination and instability.

Innovation Solution

A packaging unit and method utilizing an outer packaging made of paper or cardboard with a lateral overlapping design, where the outer packaging material is tensioned and fixed using adhesive or other fastening means, creating a stable and visually appealing package without the need for plastic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional OTO packaging with small overlapping areas is used, then the packaging structure is simple, but adhesive escape and untidy formation occur leading to contamination and instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging stabilityVSAvoidadhesive escape
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional top overlapping to lateral overlapping of the outer packaging material, changing the spatial dimension of the sealing area. This lateral overlapping configuration provides a larger effective sealing area that prevents adhesive escape while maintaining packaging simplicity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the packaging system by using tensioning elements specifically at the lateral overlapping regions. This creates localized high-strength areas that prevent adhesive escape and packaging instability without complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If reach-through openings are added for handling, then ease of operation improves, but adhesive escape and contamination increase due to reduced overlapping area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling convenienceVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By moving the overlapping region to the lateral dimension rather than the top surface, the patent creates sufficient sealing area even when reach-through openings are present. The lateral overlapping area is positioned away from the opening locations, preventing adhesive contamination while preserving handling convenience.

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

3Reliability

If plastic components are used in outer packaging, then manufacturing precision and sealing reliability improve, but environmental friendliness and recyclability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to paper/cardboard while compensating for the reduced inherent sealing properties through the lateral overlapping design and tensioning elements. This material substitution achieves both environmental friendliness and adequate sealing reliability through geometric and mechanical innovations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite packaging structure combining paper or cardboard material with tensioning elements and adhesive systems. This composite approach compensates for the lower sealing capability of paper-based materials while maintaining environmental friendliness, achieving both reliability and sustainability.

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 provides a secure, environmentally friendly, and visually appealing packaging option that avoids the issues of adhesive escape and untidy formation, while allowing for easy handling and recycling, and is suitable for machine processing.

Implementation Method 1

at least a first area of the outer packaging material, which is arranged overlapping with a second area of the outer packaging material and is at least partially fixed thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4001132A1Packaging unit, method for manufacturing packaging units and packaging device
Publication Date: 2022.05.25 KRONES AG
  • EP4001132A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP4001132A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4001132A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a packaging unit, a method for producing packaging units, and a packaging device. The packaging unit (30) comprises at least two articles (32) arranged in a row. The articles (32) are partially enclosed in an outer packaging (35) made of an outer packaging material (36), wherein two first opposing sides (38-1) of the packaging unit (30) are formed by outer packaging material (36), and wherein two second opposing sides (38-2) of the packaging unit (30) are each formed by outer surfaces of the respective end articles (32) of one row.One of the two first sides (38-1) comprises at least a first area of ​​the outer packaging material (36), which is arranged overlapping with a second area of ​​the outer packaging material (36) and is at least partially fixed to it, the second area being formed by an edge area (39) of the outer packaging material (36).