Flexible Container Dispensing Aid Structural Support Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible containers often result in incomplete dispensing of products, with up to 20% of the product remaining unused due to inefficiencies in dispensing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A flexible container design featuring a flexible material with a specific flexibility factor, incorporating a structural support volume and dispensing aid with a frangible seal and dispensing valve to facilitate complete product dispensing, including a roll bar dispensing aid and stabilization elements to ensure efficient product flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a flexible container is used to dispense products, then the container is lightweight and cost-effective, but incomplete dispensing occurs with up to 20% of product remaining unused
Solution Approach 1:
The container transitions from a static flexible structure to a dynamic dispensing system by incorporating an expandable structural support volume that can be inflated with gas. This dynamic element provides internal pressure to push remaining product out of the container, overcoming the limitation of passive flexible containers that cannot fully dispense viscous or semi-solid products.
Solution Approach 2:
A structural support volume acts as an intermediary between the user's manual compression and the product dispensing. This expandable structure distributes force more effectively throughout the product volume, enabling complete dispensing without requiring direct manual manipulation of the entire product mass.
2Device complexity
If manual compression is used to dispense product from flexible container, then no additional mechanisms are needed, but product flow is incomplete and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing function is segmented into two distinct phases: initial manual compression for bulk product removal, and subsequent structural support volume expansion for complete dispensing. This segmentation allows each mechanism to optimize its contribution without requiring complex integration, maintaining simplicity while improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support volume is pre-positioned within the container before use. When activated, it immediately provides the necessary internal pressure structure to push remaining product toward the dispensing opening, eliminating the need for complex real-time force application mechanisms.
3Productivity
If structural support volume is added to flexible container, then complete product dispensing is achieved, but container complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structural support volume is constructed using flexible materials that can be sealed and inflated. This approach maintains the overall flexibility and collapsibility of the container while adding the necessary internal support structure, avoiding the need for rigid frameworks that would significantly increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support volume serves multiple functions: providing internal pressure for complete dispensing, maintaining container shape during storage, and potentially serving as a secondary dispensing mechanism. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single structural addition.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A flexible container including a first web portion defined by a first periphery, and a second web portion defined by a second periphery. The second web portion may be disposed in a face to face relationship with the first web and at least partially overlapping the first web. At least a portion of the second periphery may be bonded or sealed to the first web, the sealed portion defines a first product volume. The container further includes a dispensing aid disposed adjacent to the sealed portion of the second periphery and may include a dispensing valve. The dispensing aid includes third and fourth web portions sealed along a closed periphery and defining an expanded volume or structural support volume.