Tubular Packaging Unit with Offset Receptacles for Aroma Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging units for portion packs, such as coffee or tea, fail to preserve the aroma and often deform sensitive packs, limiting their functionality and usability.
Innovation Solution
A tubular packaging unit with angled strips and offset receptacles is designed to securely hold portion packs, allowing for efficient space utilization and protection against damage, featuring a barrier layer for aroma preservation and easy stacking and transportation, made from materials like paper, cardboard, or thin plastic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If portion packs are placed in a larger packaging unit (bag) for barrier protection, then aroma preservation is improved, but the ground coffee loses its aroma when the bag is opened and sensitive portion packs are severely deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging unit is divided into multiple individual receptacles, each capable of holding one portion pack. This segmentation allows the packaging unit to be opened without exposing all portion packs, enabling selective access while maintaining barrier protection for unopened packs. The receptacles are arranged in strips that can be independently accessed.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacles serve as intermediary structures between the outer packaging barrier and the portion packs. These receptacles provide a protective interface that allows the packaging unit to be opened while still protecting the contents. The receptacles act as a mediator that enables access without compromising the barrier function for unopened packs.
2Volume of moving object
If receptacles are arranged in a compact configuration to optimize space utilization, then volume efficiency is improved, but positioning precision and protection for sensitive portion packs may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacles are designed with asymmetric offset arrangements where receptacles in adjacent strips are positioned at different longitudinal locations. This asymmetric configuration allows for compact space utilization while maintaining adequate positioning precision. The offset arrangement creates a staggered pattern that efficiently packs portion packs while ensuring each receives adequate protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacles are designed with specific local geometries (pot-shaped, bowl-shaped, cone-shaped, truncated cone, pyramid-shaped, or truncated pyramid) tailored to the specific positioning and protection needs of portion packs. Each receptacle's shape is optimized for its local function of securing and protecting the portion pack while contributing to overall compact arrangement.
3Reliability
If the carrier is formed as a tube with offset receptacles to protect portion packs, then protection against damage is improved, but the complexity of the carrier structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is segmented into multiple strips with receptacles arranged in an offset pattern. This segmentation allows the carrier to be constructed from simpler components while achieving the protective tubular form. The strips can be manufactured separately and then assembled, reducing the complexity of forming a complete tubular structure with offset receptacles in one operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging unit for portioned packaging for the production of drinks, includes a carrier having multiple strips arranged at an angle to one another and on which respective recesses are formed for introducing a respective portioned packaging. The carrier has a tubular shape and the recesses of two neighboring strips are arranged in an offset to one another in a longitudinal direction of the strips. In this way, the portioned packaging can be arranged in a protected manner and in an efficient orientation in the packaging unit.