Flexible Cover Container With Weakened Area Bending Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing easy-opening containers face challenges such as difficulty in opening due to required pressure, potential damage, need for internal substrates, and issues with barrier properties and sealing when using cuts for opening.

Innovation Solution

A container with a flexible cover and a weakened area that can be easily opened by bending, featuring a pair of flexible tabs and a variable thickness and width weakened area, allowing communication between chambers without damaging the seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pressure is applied to open the container, then the container can be opened, but the container may be damaged and the opening process becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of openingVSAvoidcontainer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A weakened area is pre-formed in the flexible cover at the desired opening location. This preliminary structural modification allows the cover to be easily torn or separated at this predetermined point when minimal force is applied, eliminating the need for high pressure that could damage the container. The weakened area acts as a pre-designed failure point that guides the opening process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible cover has non-uniform thickness with a weakened area that is thinner than the rest of the cover. This local variation in material properties creates a specific zone that requires less force to separate, while the thicker portions of the cover maintain their strength and integrity. The opening force is concentrated locally at the weakened area rather than being distributed throughout the entire container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If a cut is made in the container to enable opening, then opening becomes easier, but the barrier property is compromised and sealing is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of openingVSAvoidbarrier property

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A weakened area is pre-formed in the flexible cover at the desired opening location. This preliminary structural modification allows the cover to be easily torn or separated at this predetermined point when minimal force is applied, eliminating the need for high pressure that could damage the container. The weakened area acts as a pre-designed failure point that guides the opening process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible cover has non-uniform thickness with a weakened area that is thinner than the rest of the cover. This local variation in material properties creates a specific zone that requires less force to separate, while the thicker portions of the cover maintain their strength and integrity. The opening force is concentrated locally at the weakened area rather than being distributed throughout the entire container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If internal pressure is generated to open the container, then the container can be opened, but the opening process becomes complex and depends on multiple parameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of openingVSAvoidopening process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A weakened area is pre-formed in the flexible cover at the desired opening location. This preliminary structural modification allows the cover to be easily torn or separated at this predetermined point when minimal force is applied, eliminating the need for high pressure that could damage the container. The weakened area acts as a pre-designed failure point that guides the opening process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible cover has non-uniform thickness with a weakened area that is thinner than the rest of the cover. This local variation in material properties creates a specific zone that requires less force to separate, while the thicker portions of the cover maintain their strength and integrity. The opening force is concentrated locally at the weakened area rather than being distributed throughout the entire container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables easy and secure opening of the container without applying pressure, maintaining the barrier properties and ensuring the integrity of the seal.

Implementation Method 1

the container comprises bending means for bending this weakened area so that the flexible cover separates from the chamber at the weakened area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBending: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

the thickness of the weakened area changes along its length, and the width of the weakened area changes along its length

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVariable thickness design: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS9969542B2Container

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 ZOBELE HLDG SPA

AI summary

The container comprises a chamber closed by a flexible cover, and it is characterized in that said flexible cover defines a weakened area forming a seal between the chamber and the flexible cover, and in that the container comprises bending means for bending this weakened area so that the flexible cover separates from the chamber at the weakened area, opening said chamber.The container has the main advantage that it can be opened easily, just acting on the bending means.