Packaging Shoulder Attachment Using Segmented Mechanical Interlock

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing manufacturing process for personal care product packaging, especially those with a shoulder component, requires a three-piece mold, which poses challenges in molding and de-molding, particularly when using molded glass, and is not cost-effective or efficient.

Innovation Solution

A package design featuring a protrusion on the container body and notching teeth on the shoulder that engage each other, allowing the shoulder to be functionally attached to the container body and neck without the need for a three-piece mold, using a two-piece mold for manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a three-piece mold is used to mold the container body with depressions for shoulder attachment, then the shoulder can be securely attached to the neck, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshoulder attachment reliabilityVSAvoidmold complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is segmented into discrete features: protrusions on the container body and corresponding recesses on the shoulder, allowing independent molding of each component with a two-piece mold while achieving reliable assembly through the engagement of these segmented features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions and recesses act as intermediary elements that mediate between the container body and shoulder, providing a simplified attachment mechanism that eliminates the need for complex three-piece molding while ensuring reliable connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If a three-piece mold is used for molding the container body, then the depressions can be formed for shoulder attachment, but the de-molding process becomes more difficult and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepression formation precisionVSAvoidde-molding efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment features are segmented as separate protrusions and recesses that can be formed in the container body and shoulder respectively using a two-piece mold, eliminating the need for complex three-piece molding and enabling efficient de-molding while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of forming depressions in the container body that require complex molding, the design inverts the approach by using protrusions on the container body that engage with recesses on the shoulder, simplifying the molding process and improving de-molding efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Strength

If glue is added to container body depressions to affix the shoulder, then the attachment strength is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive application step is extracted and eliminated from the manufacturing process by using a mechanical interference fit between protrusions and recesses, achieving attachment strength through pure mechanical engagement while significantly improving manufacturing ease and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical bonding mechanism of glue is replaced with a mechanical bonding system using protrusions and recesses, achieving attachment strength through mechanical interference fit while eliminating the variability and complexity associated with adhesive application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This design enhances manufacturing efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness by minimizing the rotational degree of freedom and ensuring the integrity of components during manufacturing, transportation, and user usage, even when different materials are used for the container and shoulder.

Implementation Method 1

a first flexing tooth configured to flex over and engage with the neck ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a first notching tooth configured to engage the first protrusion, when the shoulder is functionally attached to the container body and neck

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

the use of a protrusion (on the top portion of a container body) and notching tooth (of the interior concentric opening of a shoulder), which are configured to engage each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11166536B2Packaging

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A shoulder that is functionally attached to a container body and neck provides a desirable aesthetics to packaging, particularly packaging suitable for personal care products.