Corrugated Paperboard Inserts for Frangible Product Shipping

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shipping containers for large, bulky, and frangible items like toilets and sinks are expensive due to the use of heavy wooden or metal inserts, making them costly and difficult to handle.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight shipping container system using multiple corrugated paperboard inserts that fit into a regular slotted container (RSC) case, forming a protective internal structure with a tapered air cell design to securely hold and cushion the items during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heavy wooden or metal inserts are used to support frangible products, then product protection during shipping is improved, but container weight and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, heavy wooden or metal support inserts with disposable corrugated paperboard inserts that are lightweight yet effective for protecting frangible products during shipping. The paperboard inserts provide adequate protection for single-use shipping scenarios without the weight and cost of traditional materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes corrugated paperboard, a composite material consisting of layered paper structures with fluted intermediate layers, to create support inserts that combine cushioning and structural support properties. This composite structure provides protection comparable to wood or metal while maintaining significantly lower weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If heavy wooden or metal inserts are used, then structural support strength is improved, but handling ease and assembly time worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable paperboard inserts are designed to be lightweight and easy to assemble, eliminating the handling difficulties associated with heavy wood or metal inserts. The inserts can be quickly constructed and positioned without heavy lifting or complex assembly tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The corrugated paperboard inserts utilize the flexibility and formability of thin paperboard structures to create supportive configurations that adapt to product shapes. These flexible inserts are much easier to handle and assemble than rigid wooden or metal alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10301097B2Shipping container for packaging frangible products

Publication Date: 2019.05.28

AI summary

The purpose of the claimed invention is to have a protective internal structure using multiple corrugated paperboard inserts that will fit into a RSC (regular slotted container) case. These inserts and the internal structure that it creates, enable a user to ship their product via common or contract carrier without damage to the user's product.