Shellfish Packaging Partition Prevents Crushing and Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging for live shellfish is prone to crushing during transport, especially when palletized, and lacks the ability to safely combine shellfish with non-living items like bottles without risk of contamination or breakage, which compromises the integrity and quality of the shellfish.

Innovation Solution

A packaging unit with a receptacle divided into separate compartments using a partition that separates live shellfish from non-living articles, ensuring the shellfish are not crushed and the non-living items remain stationary, using materials like natural wood, plywood, or cardboard, and a transparent cover for closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If shellfish are packaged in compact mass inside filled packages, then the packaging is space-efficient, but the shellfish protrude from upper edges and are likely to be crushed during palletization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging volume efficiencyVSAvoidshellfish integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions. Each compartment contains a portion of the shellfish mass, preventing the entire mass from protruding uniformly. This segmentation allows the packaging to maintain compact volume while protecting individual shellfish from crushing during palletization, as the partitions distribute and contain the protruding edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If packaging is designed to contain both live shellfish and additional non-living items like bottles, then product versatility is improved, but the risk of contamination and breakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging versatilityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions. Each compartment contains a portion of the shellfish mass, preventing the entire mass from protruding uniformly. This segmentation allows the packaging to maintain compact volume while protecting individual shellfish from crushing during palletization, as the partitions distribute and contain the protruding edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions. Each compartment contains a portion of the shellfish mass, preventing the entire mass from protruding uniformly. This segmentation allows the packaging to maintain compact volume while protecting individual shellfish from crushing during palletization, as the partitions distribute and contain the protruding edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If bottles are placed in packaging with shellfish, then commercial value is improved, but glass breakage can scatter liquid onto shellfish making them unfit for consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommercial valueVSAvoidbreakage hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions. Each compartment contains a portion of the shellfish mass, preventing the entire mass from protruding uniformly. This segmentation allows the packaging to maintain compact volume while protecting individual shellfish from crushing during palletization, as the partitions distribute and contain the protruding edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions. Each compartment contains a portion of the shellfish mass, preventing the entire mass from protruding uniformly. This segmentation allows the packaging to maintain compact volume while protecting individual shellfish from crushing during palletization, as the partitions distribute and contain the protruding edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If packaging is designed for individual sale in supermarkets, then ease of operation is improved, but the total volume should remain moderate to occupy little shelf space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretail readinessVSAvoidshelf space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging combines multiple functions into a single unit: it contains live shellfish, accommodates additional non-living items like bottles, provides protective partitions, and includes a closure system. This merging of functions into one integrated package makes it ready for individual retail sale while optimizing shelf space by eliminating the need for separate packaging for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4137419B1Packaging for shellfish suitable for receiving an additional bottle
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 SANCHEZ GUY EXPEDITION
  • EP4137419B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4137419B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4137419B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to shellfish packaging comprising a receptacle (2), the receptacle (2) comprising a base (3) and a periphery (4) comprising a first side wall (40) and a second opposing side wall (42), the packaging comprising a partition (5) extending from the base (3), defining with the first side wall (40) a shellfish storage space, and further defining with the second side wall (42) an additional storage space not connected to the shellfish storage space. The invention further relates to a shellfish transport unit comprising such packaging, and further containing shellfish and/or a non-living article such as a beverage bottle.