Flexible Package Dispensing With Controlled Opening and Low Residue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensing devices for flexible packages are inefficient in removing products completely, often leaving residues, and lack control over opening placement, leading to inaccurate deposition and messy handling, especially with multi-textured foods.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with opposing surfaces that compress and move across the package to create an opening, using rollers and a blade to cut and direct the product into a serving receptacle, while maintaining compressive contact to minimize residue and ensure accurate placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional dispensing devices rely on induced package failure to create an opening, then the device structure is simplified, but the opening placement becomes inaccurate and product deposition is imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The package is pre-formed with a specific weakened area or seam that is designed to fail in a predictable manner. This preliminary preparation allows the package to open at a precise, predetermined location when force is applied, eliminating the need for complex opening mechanisms while maintaining accurate opening placement and product deposition.
2Device complexity
If conventional dispensing devices do not include an opening means, then the device structure is simplified, but the device becomes reliant on consistent package manufacture and may not function consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The package is pre-formed with a specific weakened area or seam that is designed to fail in a predictable manner. This preliminary preparation ensures that the package will open consistently and reliably when force is applied, without requiring complex opening mechanisms or depending entirely on manufacturing consistency.
3Device complexity
If conventional dispensing devices lack control over opening placement, then the device structure is simplified, but product placement accuracy deteriorates and debris is deposited within the dispenser
Solution Approach 1:
The package is pre-formed with a specific weakened area or seam at a predetermined location. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the package opens, the opening occurs at the exact desired location, allowing accurate product placement into the serving receptacle and preventing debris from being deposited within the dispenser.
4Device complexity
If conventional dispensing devices cannot efficiently remove all product from the package, then the device structure is simplified, but product residue increases and waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device includes a serving receptacle that extracts and receives the product as it is dispensed from the package. This extraction mechanism ensures that product is efficiently removed from the package and transferred to the receptacle, minimizing residue left in the package and reducing waste.
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 device efficiently removes over 99% of the product from the package, minimizing waste and mess, and ensures precise deposition into the serving receptacle, enhancing user experience and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
the opposing surfaces are configured to compress the flexible package while moving across the flexible package
Implementation Method 2
a dispensing surface, configured to impart heat to a serving receptacle in the plane defined by the flexible package
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Dispensing devices and methods are provided. A dispensing device comprises an opening accessing an insertion path thereof, two opposing surfaces configured to compress a flexible package inserted into the insertion path while moving across the flexible package in two directions, and an opener configured to bend an opening region of the package out of a plane defined by the flexible package and further configured to cut a distal portion of an opening region of the flexible package. A method of dispensing product from a flexible package is also provided.