Fiber Sleeve Tear-Aid for Complete Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleeves for viscous materials are difficult to separate from plastic components, leading to incomplete recycling and potential deformation due to moisture ingress.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve made from fiber-based materials, featuring a tear-open aid as a material weakening extending from the distal end into the sleeve wall, allowing easy separation along a spiral line for complete recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tear line or tear strip is provided in the circumferential direction of the sleeve, then the sleeve can be separated into proximal and distal sections, but the smaller section cannot be separated from the emptied film bag, piston and nozzle element, resulting in incomplete recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a longitudinal cut extending from the distal end through the entire length of the sleeve wall, dividing the sleeve into two half-cylinders that can be completely separated from all plastic components. This segmentation allows complete recycling of the fiber-based material, resolving the issue of incomplete separation that occurred with circumferential tear lines.
2Ease of operation
If a tear line or two tear lines delimiting a tear strip is introduced in the circumferential direction of the sleeve, then the sleeve can be opened, but the sleeve may be deformed during this process
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal cut is pre-formed during manufacturing, creating a predetermined separation path that guides the opening process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to manually create cuts or apply force that could deform the sleeve, allowing clean separation without shape distortion.
3Strength
If the sleeve is made from thick-walled plastic, then it provides sufficient strength and durability, but it is difficult to recycle and separate from plastic components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining a fiber-based outer sleeve (paper or cardboard) with an inner plastic film bag for containing the viscous material. The fiber-based sleeve provides sufficient mechanical strength for handling and storage, while being completely recyclable, whereas the thin plastic film bag maintains the necessary barrier properties without contributing to recycling difficulties.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3a~4c
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
The invention relates to a sleeve (1) for receiving a filling material, wherein the sleeve (1) has a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3) and a sleeve wall (5) extending between the proximal end (2) and the distal end (3) and delimiting a receiving space (4) for the filling material, wherein the sleeve wall (5) comprises an inner side (6) facing the receiving space (4) and an outer side (7) facing away from the receiving space (4), and wherein the sleeve (1) is manufactured as a winding sleeve from a material comprising fibers, characterized in that the sleeve (1) comprises a tear-open aid designed as a material weakening (8), which extends from the distal end (3) into the sleeve wall (5). The invention further relates to a method for producing such a sleeve (1).