Web of Cleaning Products with Internal and External Lids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging for unit and multi-dose cleaning products, specifically water-soluble pouches, are prone to damage during transport and storage, leading to premature dissolution and leakage, and require bulky laminated barrier bags that are difficult to recycle and inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A web of cleaning products featuring a carrier sheet with depressions filled with cleaning compositions, covered by internal and external lids, made from recyclable materials, allowing for multiple cleaning cycles without premature release, and enabling storage within a dishwasher, with child-resistant features and different compositions released at various times during a cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-soluble pouches are packaged within laminated barrier bags to protect from damage, then protection against premature dissolution is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the internal water-soluble pouch from the packaging system entirely. Instead, cleaning compositions are directly placed in cavities formed in the carrier sheet, eliminating the need for separate inner pouches and laminated barrier bags while maintaining protection against premature dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the carrier sheet and protective packaging into a single integrated structure. The carrier sheet itself forms protective cavities and contains the cleaning compositions directly, combining the functions of container, protector, and dispenser into one component.
2Reliability
If laminated barrier bags with re-sealing mechanisms are used, then protection against premature dissolution is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to un-sealing and re-sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the re-sealing mechanism from the packaging system. The tear-away lid provides permanent access to the cleaning compositions, eliminating the need for un-sealing and re-sealing operations while maintaining protection during storage.
3Reliability
If laminated barrier bags are used for packaging, then protection against premature dissolution is improved, but volume increases making them bulky and difficult to stack
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the carrier sheet and protective packaging into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate laminated barrier bags. This integration significantly reduces packaging volume while maintaining protection against premature dissolution.
4Ease of manufacture
If water-soluble pouches with thin exterior walls are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to damage during transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the thin-walled water-soluble pouch from the system. Cleaning compositions are placed directly in cavities formed in the carrier sheet, eliminating the fragile pouch component while maintaining ease of manufacture through direct filling processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier sheet cavities provide built-in protection and structural support for the cleaning compositions before use. The rigid carrier sheet structure prevents damage during transport and storage that would otherwise affect thin-walled pouches.
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 solution provides a durable, recyclable, and convenient packaging system that prevents premature release of cleaning products, reduces environmental impact, and allows for efficient storage and use within a dishwasher, while ensuring child safety and optimized cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The internal lid is made from a water-soluble material and may dissolve during a cleaning cycle to release a cleaning composition
Implementation Method 2
The web may be thermoformed to create the depressions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A web (8) of cleaning products (10) and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The web includes a carrier sheet (20) having a plurality of depressions (24) each filled, and in direct contact with, at least one cleaning composition (30). A plurality of internal lids (40) that correspond with the plurality of depressions are sealed to the carrier sheet in a manner covering the plurality of depressions. Additionally, a plurality of external lids (50) that correspond with the plurality of internal lids are sealed to the carrier sheet and cover the plurality of internal lids. The carrier sheet and external lids may be made of a water-resistant material, and the internal lids may be made of a water-soluble material. In one embodiment, the internal lids may be omitted, and instead the depressions be filled with water-soluble pouches, each of which contains a respective dose of a cleaning composition.