Disposable Stand-Up Containers With Film-Laminate Support Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rigid containers for fluent products are expensive to produce, require significant material, are difficult to decorate, prone to damage, and challenging to dispense, and require significant changes when product size is altered.

Innovation Solution

Flexible containers made from film laminates with structural support frames and gussets, allowing for easier production, decoration, and controlled dispensing, while maintaining structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid containers are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but production cost increases and material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible containers made from film laminates instead of rigid materials. The flexible container includes a flexible body formed from laminated film material that provides sufficient structural integrity while reducing production cost and material usage compared to rigid containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite film laminate materials consisting of multiple layers including flexible outer material, flexible inner material, and adhesive layers. This composite structure provides the necessary strength and structural integrity while maintaining flexibility and reducing material consumption compared to traditional rigid containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If rigid containers are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible container utilizes thin film laminate materials that provide adequate structural integrity with significantly reduced material quantity compared to rigid containers. The flexible nature of the material allows for thinner walls and less material overall while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible container can dynamically adjust its shape and structure based on the product contents and handling requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the container to maintain structural integrity without requiring excessive material, as the flexible material can conform to different configurations and stress patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If rigid containers are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but decoration difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddecoration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible film laminate material provides an ideal surface for decoration and labeling. The smooth, flexible surface allows for easy application of graphics, logos, and product information through various printing and labeling techniques, while the flexibility of the material itself allows for creative design options that would be difficult on rigid surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Strength

If rigid containers are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but dispensing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddispensing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible container allows for easy dispensing through manual squeezing and compression of the flexible walls, enabling controlled product flow. The flexibility of the material permits users to apply gentle pressure to dispense product without the need for complex dispensing mechanisms required by rigid containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

5Strength

If rigid containers are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but adaptability to size changes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidsize adjustment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible container can be easily resized and reconfigured to accommodate different product sizes and shapes. The flexible material allows the container to be stretched, compressed, or molded into different configurations without compromising structural integrity, providing high adaptability to various product requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible container allows for parameter changes in size, shape, and configuration without requiring different materials or complex manufacturing processes. The same flexible film laminate material can be used to create containers of various sizes by adjusting the film dimensions and configuration during manufacturing or use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3448772B1Disposable stand-up flexible container

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

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AI summary

Flexible containers (100) with structurai support frames including bottom support structures.