Attached Peel-Foil Package for Hygienic Direct Drinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packages for pourable products, such as Tetra Brik Aseptic packages, require consumers to manually remove a peel foil to access the pour opening, which can be inconvenient and may not fully meet consumer needs for improved usability.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a peel foil that remains attached to the package after removal from the pour opening, allowing for direct consumption, with the foil being designed to be torn away from a designated area and incorporating heat-seal materials for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a peel foil covers the pour opening to maintain package integrity, then package sealing is improved, but consumer convenience deteriorates as manual removal is required
Solution Approach 1:
The top wall is segmented into a removable peel foil portion and a retained package portion. The peel foil is separated from the main package body through a tear line, allowing the opening action to divide the top wall into two functional segments: one removed for access and one retained for structural support and pouring stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The peel foil is pre-configured with tear lines and attachment features that guide the opening action. The tear lines are pre-established weak points that direct where the foil should separate, making the opening process easier and more controlled without compromising the sealed state before opening.
2Ease of operation
If the peel foil is completely removed to access the pour opening, then direct consumption is enabled, but package structure deteriorates losing support
Solution Approach 1:
The top wall is divided into a removable peel foil segment and a retained package segment. This segmentation allows partial removal that provides access for direct consumption while preserving the structural segment that maintains package integrity and pouring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the top wall have different functions: the peel foil portion is designed for removal to provide access, while the retained portion maintains structural support. The local quality of each segment is optimized for its specific function - the peel foil for easy removal and the retained portion for structural strength.
3Reliability
If a multilayer packaging structure is used to ensure barrier properties, then product protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multilayer packaging structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the fibrous base layer provides structural form, the heat-seal plastic layers provide sealing and barrier properties, and the aluminum foil layer provides oxygen and light barrier protection. This multi-functional design achieves comprehensive product protection within a single integrated packaging structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The package utilizes composite materials with complementary properties: paper or cardboard for structural support, plastic layers for sealing and moisture barrier, and aluminum foil for oxygen and light barrier. The composite structure combines the strengths of different materials to achieve superior overall protection that would be impossible with a single material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient and hygienic direct consumption of pourable products by ensuring the peel foil remains attached post-removal, enhancing user experience and maintaining package integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The packaging blank has a multilayer structure comprising a fibrous base layer, e.g. of paper or cardboard, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
There is described a package (1) for a pourable product comprising a bottom wall (3), a top wall (4) spaced apart from the bottom wall (3) along a longitudinal axis (A) of the package (1), a side wall (5) interposed between the top wall (4) and the bottom wall (3), a top transversal sealing band (8) associated to the top wall (4) and folded on the top wall (4), a designated pour opening (6) at least partially arranged on the top wall (4) and a peel foil (7) associated to at least the top wall (4), covering the designated pour opening (6) and being removable from the designated pour opening (6). The peel foil (7) comprises a first end portion (30) and a second end portion (31) opposite to the first end portion (30). The second end portion (31) is interposed between the top transversal sealing band (8) and the top wall (4).