Angled Weakness Lines in Feminine Hygiene Product Wrappers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wrappers for feminine hygiene products, such as tampons, often separate into multiple pieces upon opening, are unpredictable to tear, can open inadvertently during transport, and do not facilitate discreet disposal, leading to hygiene issues and increased waste.
Innovation Solution
A wrapper design featuring one or more predetermined lines of weakness angled with respect to the longitudinal axis, extending around less than 95% of the periphery, allowing for predictable and easy opening while remaining in one piece, with features like end seals and opening aids to enhance usability and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wrapper is designed to be easily opened by tearing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the wrapper may open inadvertently during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapper includes pre-formed opening flaps with predetermined tear lines that are prepared in advance but require a specific user action (pulling the flap) to initiate opening. This preliminary preparation allows easy opening when needed while maintaining integrity during transport, as the tear line only activates upon deliberate user manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapper is divided into distinct functional segments: sealed portions that maintain integrity during transport, opening flaps that provide controlled access, and tear lines that enable easy separation. This segmentation allows different parts of the wrapper to serve different functions - maintaining reliability during transport while enabling ease of operation during opening.
2Ease of operation
If the wrapper separates into multiple pieces upon opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of substance worsens due to increased waste
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapper design merges multiple functional elements (opening flap, tear line, sealed portion) into a single integrated structure that remains connected after opening. The flap separates from the main body but remains attached through the tear line, creating a unified opened state that reduces waste while maintaining ease of access.
3Ease of operation
If the wrapper fully exposes the article when opened, then the ease of operation is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen due to decreased hygiene
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapper provides localized access through the opening flap that exposes only the necessary portion of the article for use. The sealed portion and the flap itself remain closed, creating different quality zones - an open local area for access and closed areas for hygiene protection. This allows article accessibility while minimizing harmful exposure.
Data Source
AI summary
A package having a wrapper having a length, a top, a bottom, an outer surface having a periphery, a longitudinal axis, and one or more predetermined lines of weakness. The one or more predetermined lines of weakness can be disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The wrapper can enclose an article for feminine hygiene.