Recyclable, renewable, or biodegradable package

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biodegradable packages are often compromised by exposure to fluids, particularly water, which can damage products like dissolvable detergents, necessitating a protective yet environmentally friendly packaging solution.

Innovation Solution

A biodegradable package design featuring an outer shell and inner structure with protuberances that create a gap between the shell and the product compartment, preventing fluid exposure while allowing vapor transmission and breathability, using plant-based materials like bamboo or pulp for durability and sustainability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a biodegradable package is made from materials like paper instead of plastic, then the package becomes biodegradable and environmentally friendly, but the package becomes more susceptible to damage from fluids such as water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental harmVSAvoidprotection from fluid exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The package is divided into an outer shell and an inner structure as separate components. The outer shell provides biodegradability while the inner structure provides fluid protection, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the biodegradable outer shell and the water-soluble product. This intermediate layer protects the product from fluid exposure while allowing the outer shell to maintain its environmentally friendly properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the inner structure is placed directly against the outer shell, then the package structure is simplified, but the product is exposed to external conditions including water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage structureVSAvoidexposure to water and external conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protuberances extend in the radial dimension from the inner structure toward the outer shell, creating a three-dimensional gap structure. This dimensional approach provides fluid protection without requiring additional layers or complex multi-component assemblies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The protuberances create a pre-established gap between the inner structure and outer shell before the package is exposed to water. This预先设计的间隙结构 provides immediate fluid protection upon contact, preventing water from reaching the product without requiring active response mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the package is made completely sealed to protect the product, then fluid protection is improved, but biodegradability and vapor transmission are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid protectionVSAvoidenvironmental sustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The package structure has different properties in different locations: the outer shell is biodegradable and breathable for environmental compatibility, while the gap created by protuberances provides localized fluid protection where needed. Each region of the package has the quality appropriate for its function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The biodegradable materials used in the outer shell have porous structures that allow vapor transmission and breathability. This porosity enables environmental sustainability and vapor exchange while the protuberance gap provides selective fluid protection, allowing the package to be both permeable to vapors and protective against liquid water

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

The package effectively protects single unit dose detergents from fluid exposure while being biodegradable, maintaining product integrity and environmental sustainability, with a breakage rate of less than 10% when dropped from 1 to 1.5 meters and allowing for natural decomposition.

Implementation Method 1

the inner structure comprises one or more divided sections enabled to contain one or more single unit dose detergents articles, and wherein at least one of the one or more divided sections comprises a protuberance extending from a surface facing an inner surface of the outer shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid barrier:

Data Source

PatentUS11859338B2Recyclable, renewable, or biodegradable package

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A package for a single unit dose detergent, the package having an outer shell and an inner structure. The outer shell and the inner structure comprise of a biodegradable material. The inner structure has one or more divided sections enabled to contain one or more single unit dose detergents articles. At least one of the one or more divided sections comprises a protuberance extending from a surface facing an inner surface of the outer shell.