Biodegradable Detachable-Strip Packaging for Beauty Product Waste Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging systems for personal hygiene and beauty products are made of single-use plastic that decomposes slowly, contributing to plastic pollution and posing challenges in disposal and recycling.

Innovation Solution

The development of biodegradable packaging systems comprising detachable strips and a base made from environmentally friendly materials, allowing for easy disposal and recycling, and enabling various product exposure options through detachable strips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If single-use plastic packaging is used for personal hygiene and beauty products, then the packaging provides durability and protection during use, but it contributes to plastic pollution and decomposes slowly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplastic pollutionVSAvoiddecomposition time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional plastic to biodegradable materials (paper, cardboard, plant-based materials). This material substitution fundamentally alters the decomposition parameter, enabling the packaging to break down naturally in the environment within a reasonable timeframe, thus resolving the contradiction between durability during use and slow decomposition after disposal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging system employs composite material construction, combining biodegradable materials with functional coatings or treatments. This allows the packaging to maintain structural integrity and protective functions during the product's usage period while ensuring biodegradability and environmental compatibility after disposal, effectively balancing durability with eco-friendly decomposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If biodegradable materials are used for packaging, then the packaging decomposes quickly and reduces plastic waste, but it may reduce the protective function and durability during use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecomposition timeVSAvoidprotective function

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes composite material structures where biodegradable base materials are combined with functional layers or treatments. This composite approach ensures that the packaging maintains adequate strength, rigidity, and protective properties during the product's shelf life and usage, while the biodegradable composition enables quick decomposition after disposal, resolving the contradiction between durability and decomposability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions or layers of the packaging are designed with different material properties. Critical areas requiring strength and protection use more robust biodegradable materials or additional protective coatings, while other areas prioritize rapid decomposition. This localized quality differentiation allows the packaging to fulfill both protective and environmental functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional plastic packaging is used, then the packaging structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it poses challenges in disposal and recycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging structure simplicityVSAvoiddisposal challenges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from synthetic plastic to natural biodegradable materials (paper, cardboard, plant-based materials). This substitution maintains manufacturing simplicity and structural ease of production while fundamentally improving disposal characteristics. The biodegradable materials can be composted or broken down naturally, eliminating the recycling and disposal challenges associated with conventional plastics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If detachable strips are implemented in the packaging body, then user control over product exposure is improved, but the packaging structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control over product exposureVSAvoidpackaging structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging body is segmented into multiple detachable strips that can be individually removed. This segmentation allows users to control product exposure by peeling off strips as needed, providing precise dosing and extended product life. The segmented structure, while slightly more complex than a solid body, remains relatively simple in construction and aligns with the biodegradable material approach, minimizing the complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250368411A1Environmentally friendly personal hygiene and beauty product packaging

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 HUMAN ESSENTIALS LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein are earth-friendly packaging systems and methods for containing and dispensing consumable products, such as cosmetics or personal hygiene products. In some embodiments, a body of the packaging system comprises a plurality of circumferentially-oriented detachable strips surrounding a consumable product, wherein individual detachable strips can be removed as the consumable product is used.