Protective Packaging Device With Stacked Cellular Cores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protective packaging solutions often fail to adequately protect products from damage during storage, shipping, and handling, particularly for larger items where shock-absorbing materials may not provide sufficient lateral stability and rigidity.

Innovation Solution

A protective packaging device featuring vertically stacked cores with different cellular structures, where one core acts as a shock absorber and the other provides support, combined with a separator and outer wrap for enhanced stability and ease of installation using a retaining material like adhesive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If shock-absorbing materials are used for protective packaging, then shock absorption capability is improved, but lateral stability and rigidity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock absorptionVSAvoidlateral stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging device is divided into multiple functional segments: an outer wrap, a first core with cells oriented in a first direction, a second core with cells oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a separator between them. This segmentation allows each segment to provide specific functions - the first core provides shock absorption in one direction while the second core provides lateral stability in the perpendicular direction, resolving the contradiction between shock absorption and lateral stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging device uses a composite structure combining different core materials with distinct cellular orientations. The first core and second core are made of different materials or have different cell structures, creating a composite system where the first core absorbs shocks from one direction and the second core provides rigidity and stability from the perpendicular direction, simultaneously achieving both shock absorption and lateral stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple protective packaging devices are used together, then protection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple protective functions into a single integrated packaging device. Instead of using separate shock-absorbing materials and separate stabilizing structures, the invention combines both functions into one device with a first core and second core integrated together through a separator, all enclosed in an outer wrap. This merging provides comprehensive protection (shock absorption + lateral stability) while maintaining a unified, manageable structure rather than multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both shock absorption and lateral stability support within a single device. The first core provides shock absorption capability while the second core provides lateral stability, and both are integrated into one packaging unit that can be applied to protect vulnerable areas of products, eliminating the need for multiple separate protective devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If vertically stacked cores with different cellular structures are used, then lateral stability and rigidity are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct steps for creating the first core and second core with their respective cellular orientations, then assembling them with a separator and enclosing in an outer wrap. This segmentation allows each core to be manufactured using optimized processes for its specific cellular structure, then assembled together, making the overall manufacturing of this complex multi-directional protective structure more manageable and feasible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 increased lateral stability, rigidity, and shock absorption, effectively reducing product damage during handling and shipping by distributing and absorbing shocks, while being easy to install and remove.

Implementation Method 1

a first core (100) having a cellular structure and configured to absorb shocks in a first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a second core (200) having a cellular structure and configured to provide lateral support in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLateral support:

Implementation Method 3

a separator (300) attached to a respective opposite end of the first core (100) and the second core (200)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 4

an outer wrap (600) enclosing the stacked cores and the separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11352188B2Protective packaging device
Publication Date: 2022.06.07 SIGNODE IND GROUP LLC
  • US11352188B2 patent drawing
  • US11352188B2 patent drawing
  • US11352188B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a protective packaging device for protecting a product during storage, shipping, and handling.