Flexible Container Dispensing System with Custom Covering Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible container dispensing systems face challenges in customization, ergonomics, stability, and aesthetic deterioration during use, leading to high production costs and uncomfortable handling.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing system featuring a flexible container with an external covering element that includes shaped openings for aesthetic and ergonomic enhancements, providing stability and maintaining visibility even when empty, using materials like paper-based or synthetic materials that can be collapsible or rigid for easy production and reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If direct shaping of the container and/or graphic customization made directly on the external surface of the container is used, then the container can be customized, but the production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecustomizationVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the container into two separate components: a basic flexible container body and a separate covering element. The covering element can be customized independently through printing or graphic application on flat surfaces, which is more economical than customizing the entire container structure. This segmentation allows standard container production with customized covers, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining customization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The covering element acts as an intermediary between the basic container and the customization requirements. Instead of directly customizing the container structure or surface, the patent uses a separate covering element that wraps around the container, providing the customized appearance and ergonomic features without modifying the container itself, thereby reducing production complexity and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the flexible container is used without an external covering element, then the production is simpler, but the ergonomic features and aesthetic appearance are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic featuresVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the functional container from the ergonomic and aesthetic covering element. The covering element is designed with specific ergonomic features such as grip zones, finger indentations, or contoured shapes that improve handling comfort, while the basic container maintains its simple flexible structure for manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The covering element is made from flexible materials such as paper, plastic, or fabric that can conform to the container's shape while providing enhanced ergonomic features. This flexible shell approach allows the covering to be easily applied and removed without adding significant structural complexity to the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If the flexible container deforms during dispensing, then the product can be dispensed, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing functionVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The covering element serves as a protective intermediary that remains externally visible while the flexible container deforms internally during dispensing. The covering maintains the overall shape and aesthetic appearance, masking the deformation of the container beneath it, thereby preserving visual appeal throughout the dispensing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The covering element can be designed with visual elements such as printed graphics, colors, or patterns that remain stable and visually appealing even as the container deforms. The covering's surface design compensates for the underlying deformation, maintaining aesthetic appearance through visual stability rather than structural rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS10703550B2Dispensing system for flexible containers such as pouches, sachets, packets or bag-in-boxes

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 MIRCO ONESTI

AI summary

The invention is a dispensing system (1; 101) suited to dispense a product (W), comprising a flexible container (2) defining a volume (Y) for containing the product (W), the flexible container (2; 102) being of the type comprising at least one dispensing opening (6; 106) and at least one collapsible and/or deformable portion suited to reduce the volume (V) in such a way as to cause the product (W) to be dispensed through the dispensing opening (6; 106). Said system comprises covering means (3; 103) externally associated with the flexible container (2; 102), the covering means (3; 103) comprising at least one shaped opening (21a, 21b; 22a, 22b; 121a) suited to make the flexible container (2; 102) visible and suited to provide the dispensing system (1; 101) with a decorative element as desired. The invention concerns also covering means (3; 103) suited to be externally associated with a flexible container (2; 102) that defines a volume (V) for containing a product (W).