Shipping Package End Retainer with Disposable Reinforcing Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shipping packages for high-density products like stick electrodes are prone to deformation and damage during handling due to the movement of contents within, which causes impact on the end closure, leading to deformation and tearing.

Innovation Solution

A shipping package design featuring a can body with a closable end and a disposable reinforcing member secured to the exterior of the end closure, providing additional support to withstand shipping forces and reduce damage by positioning the reinforcing member to engage with the end closure and absorb impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high density electrode products are shipped in canister packages, then shipping efficiency is improved, but the movement of contents causes impact on the end closure leading to deformation and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipping efficiencyVSAvoidend closure integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A reinforcing member is positioned inside the canister body before shipping, specifically in the longitudinal region where electrode products move during shipping. This reinforcing member acts as a cushioning structure that absorbs impact forces from moving contents before they can reach and damage the end closure, thereby protecting the end closure integrity while maintaining high density packaging for efficient shipping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing member serves as an intermediary protective structure between the moving electrode products and the end closure. It intercepts and distributes impact forces from the contents, preventing direct transmission of damaging forces to the end closure, thus resolving the contradiction between efficient high-density shipping and end closure protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the canister package is made more robust to withstand shipping forces, then end closure protection is improved, but package weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveend closure protectionVSAvoidpackage structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire canister package more robust, the reinforcing member is strategically positioned only in the specific longitudinal region where electrode products move during shipping. This localized reinforcement provides end closure protection while minimizing additional weight and structural complexity compared to a uniformly robust design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a reinforcing member is added to protect the end closure, then shipping damage is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipping damage resistanceVSAvoidpackage component count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing member is constructed as a thin-walled cylindrical structure that provides effective impact protection while adding minimal volume and complexity. The thin-walled design allows the reinforcing member to be lightweight and simple in construction, reducing the increase in device complexity while still effectively reducing shipping damage to the end closure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8397913B2Shipping package with end retainer and method therefor

Publication Date: 2013.03.19 LINCOLN GLOBAL INC

AI summary

A shipping package includes a can body having an interior volume and at least one closable end, an end closure closably engaging the closable end of the can body having a recessed portion adapted to fit within a portion of the can body adjacent the closable end, and a disposable reinforcing member corresponding to at least a portion of the recessed portion of the end closure secured adjacent to an exterior surface of the recessed portion.