Fin Seal Package With Pull Tab And Finger Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catheter packages are difficult for users with limited manual dexterity to open, and existing directional tear laminates often result in incomplete opening as the tear line can progress in a non-longitudinal direction, leaving corners or portions of the package unopened.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a fin sealed along its length, connected to the package body at a fold line, with a pull tab formed by a starter line that allows for a clean, straight tear, and optional finger holes for easier opening, ensuring the package can be opened consistently and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional package with tear strip is used, then the package can be opened, but users with limited manual dexterity find it difficult to open
Solution Approach 1:
The package is segmented into distinct functional components: a fin seal extending along the length of the package, a pull tab formed by a starter line, and finger holes positioned at strategic locations. This segmentation allows the opening action to be distributed across multiple simple interactions rather than requiring a single complex tearing motion, making it accessible to users with limited manual dexterity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull tab acts as an intermediary element between the user's fingers and the fin seal. Instead of directly grasping and tearing the sealed edges, users engage the pull tab which then facilitates the separation of the fin seal from the package body. The finger holes serve as intermediaries that provide mechanical advantage and proper grip points for users with limited dexterity.
2Ease of operation
If directional tear laminates are used, then opening is simplified, but the tear line can progress in a non-longitudinal direction causing incomplete opening
Solution Approach 1:
The fin seal is pre-formed as a separate component that extends the full length of the package before opening. The starter line is pre-positioned to define the exact longitudinal path where tearing should occur. This preliminary structuring ensures that when opening occurs, the tear follows the predetermined longitudinal path of the fin seal, preventing deviation into non-longitudinal directions and ensuring complete opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin seal introduces an additional dimensional element - a longitudinal seal running the entire length of the package - that constrains the tear propagation in the longitudinal dimension. This dimensional addition ensures that the tear progresses straight along the length of the package rather than deviating laterally, solving the problem of incomplete opening caused by non-longitudinal tear paths.
3Device complexity
If a pull tab without finger hole is used, then the package structure is simpler, but manual dexterity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Finger holes are added at specific local positions on the pull tab and package body, rather than making the entire structure more complex. These localized modifications provide optimal grip points and mechanical leverage exactly where needed - at the ends of the fin seal - without adding unnecessary complexity to the overall tab structure. This localized enhancement makes the package operable by users with limited manual dexterity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A package for an elongated article has a sheet material with side, upper and lower panels. The side panels are arranged to confront one another at a fin and are at least partially adhered to one another at a longitudinal fin seal. The upper and lower panels extend from the fin to define a package body which receives the elongated article. First and second end portions of the sheet material confront one another and are adhered to one another to form first and second end seals which enclose the interior cavity of the package body. A starter line is formed in the fin and extends from a free edge thereof toward non-sealed portions of the panels of the package.