Packaging Container With Collapse Line For Complete Pouring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for pourable food products, particularly in the liquid food industry, face issues with incomplete pouring due to their rigid structure, making it difficult to empty the contents smoothly and efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A container made from multilayer wrapping material with strategically placed lines of weakness allows for predictable folding, transforming from a tubular shape to a flat configuration, enabling easy and complete pouring of contents through a trapezoidal base and triangular side walls, facilitated by creasing or partial incision processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid tetrahedral container structure is used, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to pour contents completely and smoothly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidpouring ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic collapsible structure. The introduction of a collapse line allows the container to change its shape during the pouring process, enabling complete emptying while maintaining structural integrity when full. The container can be pressed at the collapse line to initiate controlled collapse, transforming the structure to facilitate complete pouring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the front wall with opening, side walls, back wall, bottom wall, and the collapse line. This segmentation allows different parts of the container to perform different functions - the rigid walls provide structural stability while the collapse line enables dynamic deformation for complete pouring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a rigid tetrahedral structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but complete emptying of contents deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcomplete emptying
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The container incorporates a collapse line that enables dynamic structural change during emptying. This simple modification to the rigid structure allows the container to collapse inward, utilizing gravity to pull remaining contents toward the opening, ensuring complete emptying without complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container design changes the structural parameter by introducing a collapse line with different mechanical properties than the sealed walls. This parameter change allows controlled deformation at specific locations while maintaining rigidity elsewhere, enabling complete emptying through simple pressing action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If orthogonal sealing is used to close the tubular structure, then sealing reliability is improved, but pouring smoothness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidpouring smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container design maintains reliable orthogonal sealing at the seams while introducing a dynamic collapse mechanism. The seals remain fixed and reliable, providing structural integrity, while the collapse line allows controlled deformation during pouring to ensure smooth and complete content discharge without compromising seal reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3530587B1Container for pourable food products
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 GD SPA
  • EP3530587B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3530587B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3530587B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A packaging container (1) for pourable food products made by sealing and folding a wrapping material; the container (1) comprises: a front wall (2) provided with an opening (A); two triangular shaped side walls (3, 4); a back wall (5); a trapezoidal shaped bottom wall (6); and at least one seal (7); the side walls (3, 4) and the bottom wall (6) each having at least one line of weakness (8, 13) for preferentially folding the container (1).