Tile Packaging with Strip Protector for Central Face
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile packaging methods expose the central portion of the tile's upper face to impacts and scratches during transport and storage, leading to damage and rejection of the tile.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system for tiles that includes a first protecting element, which is a strip-conformed element connecting the flaps of the packaging to protect the central portion of the tile's upper face, while allowing the decoration to remain visible. This system also includes a second protecting element to further enhance protection and damping during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the central portion of the tile's upper face is left free to maintain decoration visibility, then the decoration remains in view, but the tile becomes exposed to impacts and scratches during transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into multiple functional zones: a first protecting element that covers the central portion of the tile's upper face, and a second protecting element that covers the perimeter edge portion. This segmentation allows different parts of the tile to be protected differently, maintaining decoration visibility while providing protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The first protecting element acts as an intermediary between the decoration and harmful factors. It is positioned to cover the central portion where the decoration is located, serving as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact with impacts and scratches while allowing the decoration to remain visible through its transparent or translucent material.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional packaging methods are used to protect the tile, then the central portion is exposed, but the tile can become unfit for use and has to be rejected
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging elements are pre-positioned and pre-configured to provide protection before the tile enters the transport and storage phases. The first and second protecting elements are arranged in advance to cover the vulnerable areas of the tile, ensuring protection is already in place before harmful factors can cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging employs composite protective structures combining different materials with complementary properties. The first protecting element uses transparent or translucent material to maintain visibility while providing protection, while the second protecting element uses opaque material to protect the perimeter edge portion, creating a composite protective system that addresses multiple needs simultaneously.
3Reliability
If additional protecting elements are added to protect the central portion, then the tile is protected from damage, but the material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Protection is applied locally rather than uniformly across the entire tile surface. The first protecting element covers only the central portion where the decoration is located and protection is most needed, while the second protecting element covers only the perimeter edge portion. This localized approach provides targeted protection while minimizing overall material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging provides partial protection covering the most vulnerable areas of the tile (central portion and perimeter edge portion) rather than complete coverage. This partial action approach protects the critical areas where damage would render the tile unusable while avoiding the excessive material usage that would result from complete coverage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A packaging (1) of at least a tile (2) and a method for packaging at least a tile (2). The tile (2) comprises an upper face (20) having a perimeter edge portion and a central portion (20a) which is internal of the perimeter edge portion. The packaging (1) comprises: a first flap (3) and a second flap (4) which cover a relative part of the perimeter edge portion of the upper face (20) of the tile (2); a first protecting element (5) for protecting the central portion (20a) of the upper face (20) of the at least a tile (2), which first protecting element (5) is strip-conformed, connects the first flap (3) and the second flap (4) to one another and is arranged so as to face the central portion (20a) of the upper face (20) of the tile (2), thus dividing the central portion (20a) of the upper face (20) of the tile (2) into a first region (21) and a second region (22); first fixing means which fix the first protecting element (5) to the first flap (3) and the second flap (4).