Natural Fiber Packaging for Foldable Items

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging for foldable objects, such as shower curtains, has a significant ecological footprint due to its reliance on plastic materials, which are not renewable and contribute to environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

The packaging is redesigned to utilize natural fiber materials, such as paper fibers, for both the pocket and strap parts, with the pocket made from kraft paper and the strap from composite materials like pressed cardboard, enhancing rigidity and strength while minimizing environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic materials are used for the bag and hanging sections, then the packaging has sufficient strength and durability, but the ecological footprint is significant and the materials are not renewable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging strength and durabilityVSAvoidecological footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from synthetic plastic to natural fiber materials (paper, cardboard, fabric) for the bag and hanging sections, maintaining structural integrity while improving environmental compatibility and renewability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structures, particularly in the hanging section which combines natural fiber materials with stiffening structures to achieve both environmental benefits and sufficient mechanical strength for hanging and display functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the hanging section is made with greater material thickness, then the bending stiffness and torsional stiffness are increased, but the material usage and weight are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending stiffness and torsional stiffnessVSAvoidmaterial thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the hanging section into multiple functional layers including outer layers for strength and inner stiffening structures for rigidity, allowing optimized material distribution that provides sufficient stiffness without excessive overall thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction in the hanging section with combinations of natural fiber materials and stiffening structures that achieve high bending and torsional stiffness with controlled material thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If different natural fibers are used for the pocket and hanging sections, then the material selection is optimized for different functions, but the manufacturing complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial function optimizationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selecting specific natural fiber materials for specific sections: softer, more flexible fibers for the pocket section that needs to accommodate products, and stiffer, more rigid fibers for the hanging section that needs structural support, optimizing performance for each local function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4219327A1Package and packaged product

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 NEOPERL AG

Figure 1

AI summary

In one packaging design, a pocket section (1) and a hanger section (2) are proposed, each made from a natural fiber fabric. The pocket section (1) completely encloses the item to be packaged, and the hanger section (2) allows the package to be hung on a hook. (Fig. 1)