Packaging Spacer for Wine Bottle Capsule Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional packaging methods for wine bottle capsules often result in deformation during transport due to impacts, leading to machine malfunction and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A packaging spacer system comprising engagement portions and a transverse connection element, made of corrugated cardboard or plastic, is inserted between rows of capsules in trays to stabilize and secure them, preventing deformation by maintaining the capsules' integrity during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If capsules are stacked one inside another in rows and disposed in cardboard boxes or trays, then packaging efficiency is improved, but capsule deformation occurs during transport due to impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spacer as an intermediary element positioned between rows of capsules in the tray. This spacer acts as a mediator that absorbs and distributes impact forces, preventing direct contact between capsule rows during transport. The spacer includes engagement portions that interact with the capsules to stabilize them while allowing the compact tray configuration to maintain packaging efficiency.
2Volume of stationary object
If capsules are tightly packed in trays, then transport space is optimized, but capsules deform under impact forces during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is pre-positioned between capsule rows before transport, creating a protective buffer zone in advance. This prior cushioning arrangement ensures that when impact forces occur during transport, the spacer has already been in place to absorb and distribute these forces, preventing capsule deformation while maintaining tight packing for optimal space utilization.
3Reliability
If capsules are secured rigidly in trays, then deformation is prevented, but machine operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into multiple discrete engagement portions, each independently interacting with individual capsules or capsule rows. This segmentation allows the spacer to provide stable reinforcement where needed while maintaining simplicity in the overall packaging system. The modular engagement portions can be easily manufactured and positioned without requiring complex mechanisms, thus preventing deformation while keeping the packaging system simple.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A packaging system for still or sparkling wine bottle capsules, comprising a tray (5) presenting housing channels (7) for housing rows of stacked capsules (2); a spacer (1) comprising at least one engagement portion (11) to be inserted into an end capsule (2') of the row and a supporting crosspiece (12) fixed perpendicularly to said engagement portion (11); a cover sheet (14) wrapped about the trays (5) to urge said supporting crosspiece (12) towards said row of capsules (2) to maintain said end capsule (2') spaced from an end of said housing channel (7).