Flexible Package Gusset Weakness for Tension Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible packages for compressed disposable absorbent articles face tension issues during filling, which can lead to seam tears and contamination when traditional slits are used to relieve tension, exposing the contents to dust, lint, or moisture.
Innovation Solution
Introducing an area of weakness within the gusset's internal panel, such as a triangular or straight line of reduced thickness or perforation, to alleviate tension without creating a continuous slit, thereby maintaining package integrity and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a slit is inserted at each gusset to relieve tension on the side walls, then the risk of seam tears is reduced, but openings are formed that expose the compressed articles to environmental contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous slit is segmented into a first portion and a second portion separated by a bridge portion. This segmentation allows the gusset to expand and relieve tension on the side walls while the bridge portion remains intact to maintain package integrity and prevent contamination of the compressed articles.
Solution Approach 2:
The gusset structure is modified locally by creating reduced thickness areas or perforations only in specific regions (the first and second portions) while maintaining full thickness in the bridge portion. This local modification allows tension relief where needed while preserving protection where required.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the gusset is made with uniform thickness to maintain package integrity, then contamination is prevented, but tension during filling causes seam tears
Solution Approach 1:
The gusset is segmented into regions of different thickness or structural integrity. The first and second portions have reduced thickness or contain perforations to allow expansion, while the bridge portion maintains full thickness to preserve package integrity and prevent contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The gusset exhibits local quality variations with different thicknesses or structural properties in different regions. The reduced thickness areas provide flexibility for tension relief, while the full thickness bridge portion provides strength for contamination protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If the package is filled by inserting compressed articles from the bottom, then the filling process is simplified, but tension on the side walls at the gussets may cause seam tears
Solution Approach 1:
The gusset is segmented to allow controlled expansion during the bottom-up filling process. The first and second portions can expand to accommodate the insertion force, while the bridge portion maintains structural integrity to prevent seam tears.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible package (1) being capable and being adapted for accommodating a multiplicity of compressed articles is provided. The package has a substantially parallelepiped-shape. A flexible package having a substantially folded flat-shape able to be converted into the unfolded flexible package is provided. Methods of manufacturing the flexible packages are also provided.