Custom packaging process and equipment for stretch wrapping easels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The shipment of easels is cumbersome due to their large size and sharp edges, which can damage shipping containers, making it difficult for one person to carry and resulting in potential damage to the easels.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an easel packaging fixture attached to a turntable of a stretch wrapping apparatus, where easels are positioned with their lower portions in a bottom cap and upper portions in a top cap, allowing rotation and wrapping with a material like stretch wrap to secure and protect the easels during shipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If easels are shipped in a group forming a rectangular shape to fit inside a standard shipping box, then the packaging space utilization is improved, but the packaging becomes cumbersome and difficult for one person to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing multiple easels inside a shared packaging assembly that includes a base and side walls. The easels are positioned vertically within the enclosure, with their legs resting on the base and their upper portions extending toward the top. This nested configuration allows multiple easels to be contained within a single compact unit that is easier to handle than loose individual easels, while still optimizing space utilization within the shipping container.
2Reliability
If easels are positioned with lower portions in a bottom cap and upper portions in a top cap, then the stability and protection of easels is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a base for supporting the lower portions of easel legs, side walls for lateral containment, and a top portion for securing the upper portions of easels. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific protective function while maintaining overall structural integrity. The modular nature of the segmentation actually simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to a monolithic complex structure.
3Ease of operation
If sharp edges of easels are exposed during shipment, then the ease of handling is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to potential damage to shipping containers
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging assembly provides beforehand cushioning by enclosing the easels within a protective structure with side walls and a top portion. The sharp edges of the easels are contained within this enclosure, preventing them from contacting and damaging the shipping container. The structure is designed to absorb and distribute forces, protecting both the easels and the container during handling and transport.
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
This method enables more efficient and secure packaging of easels, reducing damage risks and making it easier to handle and transport multiple easels by stabilizing them within caps and wrapping them securely.
Implementation Method 1
A lower portion of each of the easels is inserted into a bottom cap, and an upper portion of each of the easels is inserted into a top cap. The turntable is rotated so that the easel packaging fixture and the easel bundle, bottom cap and top cap mounted therein rotate with respect to the tower and the carriage of the stretch wrapping apparatus. As the turntable rotates the easel bundle a wrapping material, such as stretch wrap, from the carriage wraps around the easel bundle.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of packaging easel includes attaching an easel packaging fixture to a rotatable turntable of a stretch wrapping apparatus that includes a tower and a carriage movable along the tower. An easel bundle is positioned on the easel packaging fixture. Each easel bundle includes one or more easels with a lower portion inserted into a bottom cap and an upper portion inserted into a top cap. The turntable is rotated, causing rotation of the easel packaging fixture and the easel bundle with respect to the stretch wrapping apparatus. As the easel packaging fixture rotates, a wrapping material from the carriage of the stretch wrapping apparatus wraps around the easel bundle. The carriage moves along the length of the tower to wrap a length of the easel bundle.