Segmented Cushioning Layout for Stable Packing Case Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cushioning materials for semiconductor wafers lack stability during removal after transport, as they are in contact with the packing case and hinder removal by robots or workers.

Innovation Solution

A cushioning material design with spaces between the middle and upper cushioning materials and the packing case sides, allowing stable removal by providing recesses and intervals, enhancing detachment efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the cushioning material is in contact with the packing case, then the cushioning effect is improved, but the ease of removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushioning effectVSAvoidease of removal

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning material is divided into multiple independent pieces (first, second, third cushioning materials) with spaces between them and the packing case. This segmentation allows each piece to be removed independently while maintaining adequate cushioning coverage, resolving the contradiction between contact-based cushioning and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cushioning material is in contact with the packing case, then the stability during transport is improved, but the productivity of removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during transportVSAvoidproductivity of removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the cushioning material into separate pieces with spaces between them and the packing case, the system maintains stability during transport through adequate cushioning coverage while enabling rapid removal by robots or workers, thus improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spaces between the cushioning materials and packing case act as intermediaries that facilitate easy removal while the cushioning materials themselves maintain transport stability through proper positioning and cushioning properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If spaces are provided between the cushioning materials and packing case, then the ease of removal is improved, but the cushioning effect deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of removalVSAvoidcushioning effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation of cushioning material into multiple pieces with spaces between them and the packing case creates gaps that facilitate removal while the distributed arrangement of cushioning pieces maintains adequate impact absorption and cushioning coverage across the container bottom and sides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12570456B2Cushioning material, packing body, and packing method

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 SUMCO CORP

AI summary

There is provided a cushioning material, the cushioning material including a lower cushioning material that supports a lower portion of each of two rows of containers on a lower tier, middle cushioning materials that are interposed between the containers on an upper tier and the containers on the lower tier, and upper cushioning materials that are disposed in each of the two rows of the containers on the upper tier and that hold each of an upper portion of the containers on the upper tier, in which the lower cushioning material is formed without a space between the lower cushioning material and side plates of a packing case and the middle cushioning materials and the upper cushioning materials are formed with a predetermined space between the middle cushioning materials and the upper cushioning materials and the side plates of the packing case.