Packaging Tabs With Through-Openings For Hook Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging for bulk goods, such as cement and sand, is unwieldy and prone to damage during manual handling, leading to material loss and potential health and environmental hazards due to the lack of defined points for attachment, causing the packaging base body to be destroyed and the bulk material to escape.

Innovation Solution

The packaging features cantilevered tabs with through openings for inserting hooks, providing defined points of attack for handling, which can be used for gripping or pulling the package without tools, and can be reinforced with stiffening elements or layered designs to enhance structural resistance and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hooks are hammered into filled bags to pull them from pallet or vehicle, then manual handling is enabled, but the packaging body is locally destroyed causing bulk material to escape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual handlingVSAvoidpackaging integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-creating through-openings in tabs that extend from the packaging body before the packaging is filled. These pre-prepared openings allow hooks to be inserted without hammering into the filled bag, thus enabling manual handling while preserving packaging integrity. The tabs with through-openings are prepared in advance during packaging manufacturing, so when the bag is filled and becomes unwieldy, workers can immediately use hooks through the existing openings without damaging the packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If packaging body is dragged across ground for long distance, then transportation is achieved, but the packaging body tears open causing bulk material to escape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation capabilityVSAvoidpackaging integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses tabs with through-openings as an intermediary element between the hook and the packaging body. Instead of directly attaching the hook to the packaging body or dragging the bag, the hook engages with the tab through the opening, distributing the force and providing a secure attachment point. This intermediary structure prevents direct stress concentration on the packaging body, allowing safe dragging and transportation without tearing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If tabs are added with through-openings for hook insertion, then manual handling is improved and damage prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual handlingVSAvoidpackaging structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the packaging structure into distinct functional elements: the main packaging body and separate tabs with through-openings. The tabs are positioned at specific locations on the packaging body, creating discrete handling points. This segmentation allows the packaging to maintain its simple overall structure while adding localized complexity only where needed for improved handling, rather than redesigning the entire packaging structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4244152B1Item of packaging and method for producing an item of packaging of this type
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER GMBH
  • EP4244152B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4244152B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4244152B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Item of packaging, comprising a main packaging body (4), the main packaging body (4) delimiting an inner chamber (6) for storing bulk goods, characterised by at least one flap (8, 10, 38, 40), the flap (8, 10, 38, 40) projectingly extending from an outer face (12) of the main packaging body (4) that faces away from the inner chamber (6), and the flap (8, 10, 38, 40) comprising a through-opening (14, 16, 42, 44) for inserting a hook.