Flexible Box Bag with Planar Opening for Detergent Pouch Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detergent packaging for soluble unit dose pouches lacks ease of handling and transport efficiency while also providing a good shelf impression and easy pouch removal during washing.

Innovation Solution

A flexible box bag design comprising six rectangular panels that form a cuboidal volume with a two-dimensional opening mechanism, allowing easier access to the pouch, combined with a soluble unit dose detergent pouch optimized for size and composition to prevent trapping in washing machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a flexible bag is used for detergent packaging, then handling and transport efficiency are improved, but ease of removing the pouch during washing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoidease of pouch removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is segmented into a flexible bag structure with six rectangular panels that form a cuboidal volume, creating a box-like shape that combines the flexibility of bags with the structural integrity of boxes for easier pouch removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging transitions from a traditional flat flexible bag to a three-dimensional box bag structure, adding volumetric form while maintaining material flexibility to resolve the contradiction between handling efficiency and pouch removal ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a rigid box is used for detergent packaging, then ease of removing the pouch during washing is improved, but handling and transport efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of pouch removalVSAvoidtransport efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging uses flexible film material to construct a box-like structure, combining the ease of pouch removal associated with rigid boxes with the handling and transport efficiency of flexible bags

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If a flexible bag is used for detergent packaging, then handling efficiency is improved, but shelf impression deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling efficiencyVSAvoidshelf impression
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging adopts a three-dimensional box bag structure with six rectangular panels forming a cuboidal volume, providing the structural presence and shelf appeal of rigid boxes while maintaining the flexibility and handling efficiency of flexible bags

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3153426B1Flexible box bag comprising soluble unit dose detergent pouch
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP3153426B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3153426B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3153426B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A detergent product comprising a flexible box bag and soluble unit dose detergent pouch, wherein the flexible box bag comprises six rectangular panels: top panel (1), bottom panel (2), front panel (3), back panel (4) and two side panels (5), wherein the six rectangular panels (1, 2, 3, 5) are joined together so as to form an inner cuboidal volume (9) inside the flexible box bag, wherein each of the top panel (1) and bottom panel (2) comprise a front horizontal edge (11 & 32) a back edge (12 & 21) and two side edges (13, 14 & 23, 24), wherein each of the front panel (3), back panel (4) and two side panels (5) comprise a top edge (31 & 42), a bottom edge (32 & 41), and two side edges (33, 34 & 41 & 44), wherein the length of the two side edges of back panel (43 & 44) are longer than the length of the two side edges of the front panel (33 & 34), wherein the front edge of the top panel (11) joins the top edge of the front panel (31), wherein the back edge of the top panel (12) joins the top edge of the back panel (42), wherein the front edge of the bottom panel (22) joins the bottom edge of the front panel (32), wherein the back edge of the bottom panel (21) joins the bottom edge of the back panel (41), wherein the side edges of the top panel (13 & 14) join the top edges of the side panels and part of the side edges of the back panel (43 & 44), wherein the top panel comprises a two dimensional opening means that is capable of forming a two dimensional planar opening (6), wherein the soluble unit dose detergent pouch is contained within the inner cuboidal volume.