Compostable Sanitary Packaging with Perforated Opening Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compostable materials used for packaging hygienic sanitary products face challenges in balancing compostability and mechanical resistance, leading to uncontrolled tears during opening due to their inherent nature, which is exacerbated by easy-opening systems designed for plastic materials.
Innovation Solution
A packaging design featuring a specific distribution of weakening and cutting segments, including inclined cutting segments and perforated sections, ensures controlled opening and maintains integrity, using compostable materials like paper or paper-based composites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If easy-opening systems with weakening segments or pre-cuts are applied to compostable material packaging, then opening ease is improved, but mechanical integrity deteriorates causing uncontrolled tears
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into distinct functional segments: hinge segments for connection, weakening segments with controlled perforations for initiating opening, and cutting segments for clean separation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function without compromising overall integrity during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the packaging are given different structural properties: hinge segments have continuous structure for strength, weakening segments have controlled perforations for easy initiation, and cutting segments have specific geometry for clean cutting. This local differentiation enables easy opening at designated areas while maintaining integrity elsewhere.
2Adaptability or versatility
If compostable materials like paper are used for packaging, then environmental sustainability is improved, but resistance to tear propagation deteriorates compared to plastic
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is pre-equipped with weakening segments containing controlled perforations and cutting segments positioned exactly where opening is needed. This preliminary preparation allows the material to be opened easily along predetermined paths without causing unexpected tears in other areas, compensating for the material's lower inherent tear resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The weakening and cutting segments act as intermediaries between the user's opening action and the main packaging structure. These segments control and guide the opening process, preventing uncontrolled tear propagation through the compostable material by confining the opening action to specific reinforced pathways.
Data Source
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AI summary
Packaging (10) for hygienic sanitary products comprising compostable material. The packaging comprises a front wall (12), a back wall (14) opposite the front wall, a first side wall (16), a second side wall (18) opposite the first side wall, a first end wall (20), a second end wall (22) opposite the first end wall. The packaging (10) further comprises a flap (24) movable to and from a closed position and formed on at least one of the front wall (12), the back wall (14), the first side wall (16), the second side wall (18), the first end wall (20), the second end wall (22). The flap (24) is connected to the packaging (10) by a hinge segment (26) extending between a respective first end and a respective second end. The flap (24) comprises a perimeter defined by the hinge segment (26) and at least one weakening segment (28) and at least one cutting segment (30). Each weakening segment (28) comprises, between the respective first and second ends, an alternation of perforated sections and continuous sections between the flap (24) and the wall on which it is formed. The at least one cutting segment (30) comprises a continuous through cut extending from a respective first end to a respective second end. The perimeter of the flap (24) comprises a pair of cutting segments (30a, 30b), each placed consecutively with respect to said hinge segment (26) and each inclined at an angle comprised between 35° and 65° with respect to said hinge segment (26).