Color-Coded Oral Care Packaging for Rapid Product Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current toothbrush packaging methods require consumers to closely examine small writing to determine the specific benefits of each toothbrush, which is time-consuming and challenging for individuals with poor vision, especially when multiple toothbrushes with different benefits are offered.

Innovation Solution

A color-coded oral care product packaging system where each package features a designated area with a specific color indicating the unique characteristics or benefits of the toothbrush, such as bristle type or intended use, allowing consumers to quickly identify the benefits without opening the package.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional packaging with small writing is used, then packaging cost and structure are simple, but consumers cannot quickly identify product benefits and must closely examine the package

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of product identificationVSAvoidtime to read and understand package information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color coding to designated areas on the package to indicate specific toothbrush characteristics. Different colors represent different bristle types, functions, or features, allowing consumers to quickly identify product benefits at a glance without reading small text. This visual color-coding system directly addresses the contradiction by making product identification immediate and intuitive while maintaining simple packaging structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If detailed product information is provided in small writing, then complete product characteristics are communicated, but individuals with poor eyesight struggle to read and distinguish the information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct benefit informationVSAvoidaccessibility for consumers with vision impairments
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color-coded designated areas on the package to convey product benefit information in a visually accessible format. Instead of relying solely on small text that is difficult for visually impaired consumers to read, the color-coding system provides immediate visual differentiation of product characteristics, making information accessible to all consumers regardless of visual acuity while preserving complete product information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional text information to two-dimensional visual color-coding on the package surface. This dimensional change allows product information to be conveyed through color patterns and designated areas that can be perceived from a distance and do not require close examination, thereby improving accessibility for consumers with vision impairments while maintaining complete information delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple toothbrushes with different benefits are packaged separately, then product variety and consumer choice are increased, but the packaging process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct line varietyVSAvoidpackaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a standardized color-coding system that can be applied across multiple toothbrush products in a product line. Each color represents a specific characteristic or benefit, allowing the same packaging template and color-coding methodology to be reused for different toothbrush variants. This reduces packaging system complexity while maintaining high product line variety, as the color-coding framework provides a consistent visual language across all products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3145834B1System of packaged oral care implements
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
  • EP3145834B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3145834B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3145834B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A color coded oral care implement packaging system. In one embodiment, the system includes a first packaged oral care implement that includes a package and an oral care implement having a tooth cleaning element field with a first characteristic positioned within the package. The system also includes a second packaged oral care implement that includes a package and an oral care implement having a tooth cleaning field with a second characteristic positioned within the package. The first package includes a first designated area being color coded with a first color selected to represent the first characteristic. The second package includes a second designated area being color coded with a second color selected to represent the second characteristic.