Convertible Oil Filter Packaging for Spill Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The replacement of oil filters in internal combustion engines often results in spillage and contamination due to the lack of a universal, appropriately sized oil tray, leading to costly and time-consuming selection processes and risks of cross-contamination.
Innovation Solution
A packaged oil filter with integrated packaging that converts into a specifically designed oil tray with a channel and spout, ensuring containment and safe disposal of used oil during filter replacement, eliminating the need for separate trays and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a universal oil tray is provided for all filter configurations, then the selection process is simplified, but the tray may not be appropriately sized for specific filters leading to inadequate containment
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging box is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the packaging container for the oil filter and transforms into a customized oil tray specific to that filter model. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate universal trays while ensuring proper fit and containment for each specific filter configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging box automatically provides the necessary oil containment function by transforming into a custom-fitted tray. The system serves itself by making the packaging structure convertible into the required containment device, eliminating the need for separate selection and setup of external trays.
2Reliability
If separate oil trays are provided for different filter configurations, then containment effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and selection process become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging box and oil tray are merged into a single integrated system. The packaging box contains the instructions for transformation and the structural elements needed to form the tray, combining what were previously separate components (packaging and containment device) into one unified solution.
Solution Approach 2:
A single packaging box design serves multiple purposes: protecting the filter during transport and providing a custom-fitted containment tray during oil change. This eliminates the need for multiple separate tray types while maintaining containment effectiveness for different filter configurations.
3Loss of energy
If reusable oil trays are used, then cost is reduced, but the risk of cross-contamination between different engines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging box is designed as a single-use, disposable item that is discarded after the oil change process. This eliminates cross-contamination risks associated with reusable trays while keeping costs low by utilizing the existing packaging material rather than requiring durable, reusable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging box is discarded after serving its primary containment function during the oil change. The system recovers the value of the packaging material by transforming it into a useful oil tray before disposal, maximizing the utility of the disposable component while maintaining hygiene through single-use operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An item of packaging for a fluid filter has a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration is a packaging configuration in which the item of packaging is configured to package a fluid filter. The second configuration is a fluid tray configuration in which the item of packaging is configured to receive fluid. In addition, a method of manufacturing an item of packaging for a fluid filter comprises producing a two dimensional primary net for forming into a three dimensional item of packaging. The method further comprises providing a two dimensional secondary net for forming a three dimensional fluid tray. The two dimensional secondary net comprises separation lines and fold lines within the two dimensional primary net.