Paper Container Holder With Moveable Retainers for Secure Grouping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging solutions for cylindrical containers, such as shrink wrap and plastic rings, are not biodegradable or easily recyclable, leading to environmental concerns and consumer backlash, while paper-based alternatives are costly and complex to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A paper-based holder with moveable retainers and apertures that securely engage the upper ends of cylindrical containers, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without adhesives, providing a biodegradable and recyclable solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shrink wrap plastic packaging is used to fasten containers together, then the containers are securely retained for transport, but the packaging is not biodegradable or easily recyclable and creates environmental harm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer retentionVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from plastic to paper-based material, transforming the packaging from non-biodegradable to biodegradable and recyclable, while maintaining the container retention function through the retainer mechanism that engages with container lips

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The paper-based holder is designed as a single-use biodegradable packaging solution that serves its purpose during transport and then decomposes naturally, replacing the persistent plastic shrink wrap with an environmentally friendly disposable alternative

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If plastic rings are used to fasten containers together, then the containers are securely retained, but the packaging is not reusable, biodegradable or easily recyclable and causes public backlash

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer retentionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the retention function and the structural support function into a single paper-based holder with integrated retainers, eliminating the need for separate plastic rings and reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material from plastic to paper-based material, making the packaging biodegradable and recyclable, while the retainer geometry is designed to provide secure engagement with container lips

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If paper-based holders are used to retain containers, then the packaging is biodegradable and recyclable, but the manufacturing is costly and complex and assembly is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainers are designed to be moveable between a first position (aligned with aperture edge) and a second position (overlapping aperture edge), allowing automatic engagement of containers during assembly without complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holder is segmented into a base portion with apertures and side portions with retainers, allowing the retainers to be positioned and moved independently during the folding and assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If paper-based holders with moveable retainers are used, then the assembly is simpler and manufacturing is easier, but the retention of containers must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcontainer retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The moveable retainers provide dynamic adjustment capability, allowing them to move from a first position during assembly to a second position for secure retention, ensuring both ease of assembly and reliable container holding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retainers are designed to automatically engage with container lips when moved to the second position, providing self-retention without requiring additional fastening mechanisms or complex assembly steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4520683B1Holder for cylindrical containers

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 SMURFIT KAPPA COLORS & CONSUMERS SITE DE TOURS-SUR-MARNE

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AI summary

A holder for grouping and retaining a plurality of cylindrical containers, said holder comprising a sheet of paper based material having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each aperture being dimensioned to receive an upper end of a respective container therethrough, wherein each aperture is associated with a retainer, said retainer being laterally displacement with respect to the respective aperture between a first position, wherein an edge of the retainer is aligned with or spaced outside of an outer edge of the respective aperture, and a second position, wherein said edge of the retainer overlaps said outer edge of the respective aperture to engage and retain a container within the respective aperture.