Flexible Package With Breachable Bubble And Self-Sealing Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible containers for liquid products are difficult to open and prone to accidental spillage due to lack of easy opening mechanisms and controlled dispensing features, often requiring brute force or tools to access the contents and cannot be easily re-closed.
Innovation Solution
A flexible container with a self-sealing valve and a breachable bubble that allows for easy opening and controlled dispensing, featuring a fluid channel connected to the interior volume and a self-sealing valve that prevents spillage until pressure is applied, allowing fluid to flow through a valve-like passageway when the bubble is breached and the package is unfolded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the strength of the film or seals is increased to prevent rupture during packaging and transportation, then the package integrity is improved, but the difficulty in opening the package increases
Solution Approach 1:
The package is divided into a strong outer container and a separate easy-to-open inner lid. The inner lid can be opened by pulling a tab that breaks a weak seal, while the outer container maintains its structural integrity for protection during transport. This segmentation allows different parts of the package to have different strength characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
A weak seal is pre-formed between the inner lid and outer container, designed to break easily when a tab is pulled. This preliminary preparation of a vulnerable point allows the strong package to be opened easily without compromising the overall structural strength during transport.
2Productivity
If the package is made flexible to eliminate void space and improve handling, then the package efficiency is improved, but the tendency to spill contents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The package uses a flexible outer container that can be compressed to dispense contents through a controlled opening. The flexible nature allows the package to be squeezed to expel contents while the rigid lid structure maintains control over the discharge point, preventing uncontrolled spillage.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid lid acts as an intermediary between the flexible container and the environment. It provides a stable, controlled interface for dispensing contents while the flexible container provides the bulk storage and compression capability. This intermediary structure prevents the flexible container from directly contacting and spilling contents.
3Ease of operation
If the package is opened by tearing or inserting a straw, then the contents can be accessed, but the package cannot be re-closed and accidental leaks occur
Solution Approach 1:
A reversible seal mechanism is pre-formed between the lid and container body. The seal can be broken to open the package and re-formed to close it, allowing multiple opening and closing cycles without leakage. This preliminary preparation of a reversible sealing interface enables both accessibility and leak prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed to be temporarily discarded (broken) during opening but can be recovered (re-formed) for closing. The tab-breaking mechanism permanently opens the seal, but the flexible membrane allows the package to be resealed by pressing the lid back into place, recovering the sealing function.
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
The solution enables easy opening and controlled dispensing of liquids without spillage, allowing the package to be used without repositioning it upright, with the self-sealing valve re-closing when pressure is removed, preventing leaks and making the package easy to handle and store.
Implementation Method 1
A self-sealing valve is positioned at the second end of the fluid channel... allowing fluid to flow through a valve-like passageway when pressure is applied to the flexible container... with the self-sealing valve re-closing when pressure is removed
Data Source
AI summary
A package or container is disclosed that includes an opening device in conjunction with a self-sealing valve for facilitating opening of the package and for dispensing fluids in a controlled manner. In one embodiment, the opening device can comprise a breachable bubble. The breachable bubble can be in communication with a fluid channel that operates in conjunction with the self-sealing valve. The package can include a folded portion for sealing the fluid channel and allowing the bubble to be breached when a user applies pressure. Once the bubble is breached, the folded portion can be unfolded for dispensing a fluid.