Moldable Dairy Packaging with Sealed Overlapping Lids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging methods for moldable dairy products with liquid or semi-viscous consistency face leakage issues due to lower viscosity and higher surface tension, leading to soiling, poor presentation, and risk of degradation, limiting their use to rigid trays which are less consumer-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system featuring a conformable covering sheet with overlapping edges sealed to prevent leakage, composed of distinct lids that can be easily separated by consumers, and a bell-shaped outer shell with cooperating closure mechanisms to ensure tightness and easy opening, using ultrasonic sealing and frangible sealing points for secure closure and tamper evidence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a covering sheet with overlapping edges is used to contain liquid or semi-viscous product during dosing, then the product can be contained and given its final shape, but leakage occurs at the overlap region due to lower viscosity and higher surface tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sealing the overlapping edges of the covering sheet before the dosing process. The sealing operation is performed in advance on the sheet structure, creating a sealed overlap region that prevents leakage during subsequent product containment and dosing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical reliance on product viscosity to prevent leakage with a sealing mechanism. Instead of depending on the product's physical properties (viscosity, surface tension) to hold it contained, a sealing operation creates a physical barrier that prevents leakage regardless of the product's consistency.
2Reliability
If a covering sheet is used to avoid contact of product with mold interior surface, then product quality is maintained, but leakage soils the mold bottom and creates poor presentation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing operation is performed in advance on the covering sheet before the product is dosed into the mold. This preliminary sealing action ensures that when the product is contained in the sheet, no leakage can occur to soil the mold bottom, thereby maintaining both product protection and mold cleanliness.
3Reliability
If a continuous sheet with tear strips is used to ensure flawless sealing during dosing, then leakage is prevented, but the packaging is cumbersome and requires additional steps for opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the covering sheet into two separate lids that overlap and are sealed to each other. This segmentation allows the sheet to be easily separated into two distinct opening motions for the consumer, improving ease of operation while maintaining the sealed structure during dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic opening mechanism where the two lids can be easily separated from each other after the sealing operation. This dynamic design allows the packaging to transition from a sealed state during dosing to an easily opened state for the consumer, eliminating the cumbersome tearing process.
4Reliability
If rigid trays are used for packaging liquid or semi-viscous products, then leakage is avoided, but consumer convenience and attraction are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible covering sheet that can be sealed to form a containment structure for liquid or semi-viscous products. This flexible sheet approach replaces rigid trays, providing both leakage prevention and improved consumer convenience through easier opening and more attractive presentation.
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
This solution effectively prevents leakage during packaging and storage, maintains product quality, and provides a consumer-friendly, attractive presentation for a wide variety of molded dairy products, enhancing production efficiency and reducing manufacturing incidents.
Implementation Method 1
a seal in the region of their overlap, this sealing being capable of ensuring between these caps a tightness to the product
Implementation Method 2
cooperating closure means, in particular comprising, for one, a plurality of retaining lugs and, for the other, a cooperating discontinuous peripheral gutter, the separation of the bell and the base being obtained by a relative rotation of a fraction of a turn, with on the base and the bell facing surfaces comprising at least one frangible sealing point
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6a~6g
AI summary
The wrapping procedure, especially for a moulded dairy product (10) packaged in a container with a rigid or semi-rigid base (12) and cover, uses a sealing layer (42) in two separate sections (14, 14') joined together by seals (44, 44') and peeled off to gain access to the product. The two joined sections of the sealing layer, made from paper, aluminium and plastic, are used to line the mould in which the product is shaped before packaging in its container.