How Pringles Potato Chips Are Stacked and Packaged

A 1970 patent by Procter and Gamble describing the precise method for stacking uniform, saddle-shaped potato chips into a cylindrical container to prevent breakage.

What it covers

The patent describes a method for packaging snack chips that are uniform in shape, specifically the hyperbolic paraboloid or saddle shape. By creating chips that nest perfectly within one another, the invention allows them to be stacked in a column rather than poured loosely into a bag. This stacking mechanism is designed to minimize air space and prevent the chips from fracturing during shipping and storage, as the nested structure provides structural integrity to the entire stack.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover standard potato chips that are irregular in shape or size.
• —Does not cover flexible packaging methods like traditional plastic or foil bags.
• —Does not cover the specific chemical recipe or dough composition used to create the chips.
• —Does not cover non-cylindrical container shapes that do not support the nested stack.

The clever bit

The innovation lies in engineering the chip's geometry to be a uniform saddle shape, which allows for perfect nesting and structural stability, effectively turning a fragile food item into a rigid, stackable column.

Why it matters

This patent enabled the creation of the Pringles brand, which fundamentally changed the snack food industry by moving away from the traditional bagged chip model. It allowed for a shelf-stable, highly transportable product that could be stacked efficiently for retail display and shipping.

Real-world examples

• 1.Pringles original potato crisps
• 2.Generic store-brand stackable potato crisps