Absorbent Package Enclosure with Concealed Graphics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging solutions for absorbent articles face challenges in maintaining a premium aesthetic appearance while using thin, non-opaque materials, as graphical markings and logos on the outer enclosure are often visible through the material, compromising the perceived quality of the product.

Innovation Solution

A package design featuring an outer enclosure with a thickness of up to 70 µm and opacity not exceeding 70%, where a first graphical item on the enclosure covers a second graphical item on the absorbent units, ensuring the latter remains invisible from the outside, utilizing materials like polyethylene and positioning the graphical items to prevent visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the outer enclosure is made from a thin layer of material (thickness not more than approximately 70 μm) to reduce cost and meet design trends, then manufacturing cost is reduced and the package adheres to light-colored design trends, but the enclosure becomes at least partly non-opaque causing graphical markings and logotypes on absorbent products to be visible from the outside

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidvisibility of graphical markings through enclosure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - a graphical item on the outer enclosure that serves as a visual barrier. This graphical item is positioned to overlap with and conceal the graphical markings on the absorbent products, thereby mediating between the thin non-opaque material and the unwanted visibility of product markings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes color changes by applying a graphical item with specific color properties to the outer enclosure. This graphical item is designed with color characteristics that effectively mask or conceal the graphical markings on the absorbent products behind it, leveraging color contrast and opacity principles to achieve the desired visual effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the outer enclosure is made from a dark or opaque material to prevent graphical markings on absorbent products from being visible, then the aesthetic appearance and premium quality perception are improved, but the material thickness increases and light-colored design trends cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of graphical markings through enclosureVSAvoidenclosure material thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing the graphical item only in specific locations on the outer enclosure where it is needed to conceal graphical markings. Rather than making the entire enclosure opaque or thick, the graphical item is strategically positioned to provide local concealment while maintaining overall thinness and light-colored appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite visual structure by combining the thin outer enclosure material with an overlaid graphical item. This composite approach allows the thin material to provide the base structure and light-colored appearance, while the graphical item layer provides the necessary opacity in specific areas to conceal product markings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a graphical item is added to the outer enclosure to conceal graphical markings on absorbent products, then the visibility of product markings is reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing process become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of graphical markings through enclosureVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the concealment function with the existing graphical design elements of the outer enclosure. Rather than adding a separate functional component, the graphical item is integrated into the overall graphical design scheme, combining aesthetic purposes with the functional requirement of concealing product markings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3923891B1A package of absorbent units and a method for manufacturing such a package
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 ESSITY HYGIENE & HEALTH AB
  • EP3923891B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3923891B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3923891B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a package (1) of absorbent units (5; 11), said package (1) comprising an outer enclosure (2) enclosing said absorbent units (5; 11) and being at least partially non-opaque, wherein said outer enclosure (2) has a thickness (t) which is not more than approximately 70 µm, wherein said outer enclosure (2) supports a first graphical item (3) and at least one of said absorbent units (5; 11) supports a second graphical item (9; 9´). Furthermore, said absorbent unit (5; 11) supporting said second graphical item (9; 9´) is configured so that said second graphical item (9; 9´) is positioned in a manner so that it is generally not visible for a viewer from outside the outer enclosure (2). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a package (1) of the above- mentioned type.