Paper Cardboard Pallet with Water-Repellent Enveloping Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wooden pallets are prone to contamination, heavy, voluminous, and costly, with plastic pallets lacking strength and having unfavorable CO2 balances, while existing alternatives fail to address sterility and environmental concerns in sensitive areas.

Innovation Solution

A pallet design featuring a deck and blocks made from layers of paper, cardboard, or cardboard, with a water-repellent enveloping layer and structured base for stability, recyclability, and reduced CO2 emissions, using adhesives or other attachment methods for assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If wooden pallets are used, then stability is improved, but weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepallet stabilityVSAvoidpallet weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters from wood to paper/cardboard layers, fundamentally altering the density and weight characteristics while maintaining structural functionality through layered construction and binding agents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure using multiple layers of paper or cardboard materials bound together with binding agents, forming a new composite material that achieves both light weight and structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If wooden pallets are used, then stability is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepallet stabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition from organic wood to processed paper/cardboard layers, altering the surface properties and material structure to eliminate harborage for vermin and reduce contamination risks in sensitive environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-layer paper/cardboard composite structure with binding agents creates a non-porous, smooth surface that does not support vermin infestation, solving the contamination problem while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If plastic pallets are used, then contamination resistance is improved, but strength and CO2 balance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination resistanceVSAvoidpallet strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a composite material system using multiple layers of paper or cardboard bound with binding agents, achieving strength comparable to plastic while maintaining contamination resistance and improving environmental sustainability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the parameters of paper/cardboard layers including layer count, binding agent composition, and structural configuration to achieve the required strength levels without using plastic materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If paper/cardboard layers are used, then production cost is reduced, but water resistance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidwater resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the paper/cardboard layers and binding agents to achieve water resistance, including treatment of the paper surfaces and selection of water-resistant binding materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where the combination of paper/cardboard layers with specific binding agents provides both the cost advantage of paper materials and the water resistance required for reliable performance in various environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 a stable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly pallet that minimizes contamination risks, reduces CO2 emissions, and can be recycled, suitable for use in sensitive environments like food and pharmaceutical production.

Implementation Method 1

If the enveloping layer has a water-repellent finish. This means that the pallet can also be used in damp areas.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater-repellent finish: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

If an application of adhesive is provided between the pallet deck and the pallet block, it being possible for a contact adhesive, a hot-melt adhesive, a cold adhesive or the like to be provided.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4230545A1Pallets
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 REIJNVAAN JAN

AI summary

Pallet, in particular in the format of a block or Euro pallet, made of paper, cardboard, carton and/or the like, with a pallet deck (1) and optionally pallet blocks (2), wherein the pallet deck (1) is made of one or more layers of paper, cardboard, carton and/or the like and pallet blocks (2) can be arranged under the pallet deck (1) as required, wherein the pallet blocks (2) can also be made of one or more layers of paper, cardboard, carton and/or the like.