Solid Milk Packaging Using Absorbable Gas to Eliminate Gaps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging methods for solid objects, such as solid milk, face challenges in reducing the gap between the object and the packaging to prevent damage during transportation while allowing easy removal, and in maintaining the object's shape without using vacuum sealing processes.

Innovation Solution

Introducing a replacement gas that is absorbed by the solid object, reducing the gap between the object and the packaging, and adjusting the gas composition to maintain the object's shape and facilitate easy removal when opened.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the packaging is widened to accommodate the solid object, then the solid object can be easily taken out, but the solid object becomes fragile and breaks during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removalVSAvoidfragility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of the packaging material from rigid to gel-like, allowing it to flow and conform to the solid object's shape. This parameter change enables the packaging to fill gaps and provide cushioning while maintaining a tight fit that prevents breaking during transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite packaging system combining a gel-like material with the solid object. The gel material provides both the cushioning needed to prevent breaking and the flexibility to allow easy removal, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If a gap is provided between the solid object and packaging, then the solid object can be easily taken out, but the solid object collides with other solid objects during transportation and breaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removalVSAvoiddamage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gel-like material changes its physical parameters to flow into gaps between solid objects during transportation, eliminating collisions. The material's ability to deform and conform ensures tight packing while maintaining ease of removal through its flexible nature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The gel-like material acts as an intermediary substance between the solid objects and the packaging. It fills the gaps and provides cushioning, preventing direct contact and collisions between solid objects during transportation while still allowing easy removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If vacuum sealing is used to reduce the gap between solid object and packaging, then the gap is minimized, but milk powder separates from the surface of the solid milk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap reductionVSAvoidmilk powder separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the packaging material's physical state to gel-like, which allows it to flow and conform to the solid object's shape without creating vacuum pressure. This parameter change minimizes the gap while avoiding the harmful effects of vacuum sealing, such as milk powder separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical vacuum sealing system with a gel-like material that uses its own physical properties to fill gaps. This substitution eliminates the need for vacuum pressure, thereby preventing milk powder separation while still achieving gap reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively reduces the gap between the solid object and the packaging during sealing, enhancing transportation stability and ease of removal, while avoiding the need for vacuum sealing processes.

Implementation Method 1

a replacement gas which has a property to be absorbed by the solid object is introduced into the packaging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2650231B1Packaged solid body and production method thereof
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 MEIJI CO LTD
  • EP2650231B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2650231B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2650231B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a method for packaging a solid body wherein even if a sealing operation is not performed in a vacuum device, a solid body can be easily housed in a packaging material, and further, when the packaging material is sealed, there is no gap between the solid body and the packaging material. [Solution] When a solid body is housed in a packaging material and sealed, a replacement gas having a property of being able to be absorbed in the solid body is intentionally introduced in the packaging material. Thereby, after the sealing, the replacement gas is absorbed in the solid body, and thus, the gap between the solid body and the packaging material becomes smaller, and the solid body is closely attached to the packaging material. When the absorption of the replacement gas is held in the equilibrium state, the volume of the package body remains constant. On the other hand, when the package body is opened, a gap is generated between the solid body and the packaging material.