Drinks Pouch Corner-Access Design to Minimize Straw-Opening Spillage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drinks pouches with integrated straws are difficult for young children to use and often result in spillage due to the risk of accidental detachment or tearing, leading to the contents being spilled.
Innovation Solution
A fully sealed pouch design with a straw inside, featuring a corner portion that can be opened along a defined line of weakness, using heat seals and a tear strip to access the straw without causing significant spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pouch is opened carefully to access the straw, then the straw becomes accessible, but spillage occurs when removing the straw or making the tear
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch is divided into a main body and a detachable corner portion containing the straw. The corner portion can be selectively removed without opening the main pouch body, allowing straw access while maintaining seal integrity and preventing spillage.
Solution Approach 2:
The straw is extracted from the main pouch body and placed in a separate corner portion that can be detached. This allows the straw to be accessed by removing only the corner portion rather than opening the entire pouch, preventing drink spillage during the extraction process.
2Ease of operation
If a straw is provided held by adhesive on the pouch face, then the straw is accessible, but it may be accidentally detached and lost
Solution Approach 1:
The straw is merged with the corner portion structure rather than being separately attached to the pouch face. The straw is positioned within the corner portion and secured through the tearing mechanism itself, eliminating the risk of accidental detachment while maintaining accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the pouch is opened to access a straw within, then the straw becomes accessible, but the contents may spill during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch structure is segmented into a main sealed body and a removable corner portion. This allows the corner portion containing the straw to be detached without opening the main pouch, preserving the seal and preventing drink loss while providing straw access.
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
The design allows easy access to the straw while minimizing the risk of spillage, ensuring the contents remain contained during opening and use.
Implementation Method 1
said one side edge being formed by a first heat seal connecting the front and rear faces; and a second heat seal connecting the front and rear faces and extending in an incomplete fashion from the top portion to the bottom portion
Data Source
AI summary
A fully sealed pouch containing a drink is provided with a straw within the pouch accessible to allow a user to draw drink from the pouch. The pouch defines a top portion, a bottom portion, and respective side edges interconnecting the top portion and the bottom portion. A corner portion is defined between the top portion and one side edge, the corner portion being openable by a user to access the straw. The pouch forms a closed cavity containing the drink, the cavity being defined by the top portion, the bottom portion, and side edges and by at least one wall defining a front face and a rear face for the cavity. The front and rear faces are connected together in the top portion. The front and rear faces are continuous with each other at, or are connected along, the other of the side edges. The front and rear faces are connected, optionally via a gusset, to provide the bottom portion. The one side edge is formed by a first heat seal connecting the front and rear faces; and a second heat seal connects the front and rear faces and extends in an incomplete fashion from the top portion to the bottom portion, being spaced inboard of the first heat seal. The second heat seal divides the interior of the cavity into major and minor portions interconnected so that drink may flow between them, the minor portion lying between the first and second heat seals, and the straw being located within this minor portion. A number of different ways are described in which the corner portion may be opened along a line of weakness formed in the pouch and extending generally parallel to the top edge or the bottom portion from the first heat seal to and ending at the second heat seal.