Flexible Package Lap Seal Gap Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible packages with zipper closures suffer from air gaps at the fin or lap seal area, allowing air and product leakage due to the thick profile of the closure device, which is difficult to eliminate with current methods.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bridging material, such as a bead of silicone or caulk, between the closure device ends to fill the air gap when sealed, or modifying the closure device to extend partially into the seal area to eliminate gaps, ensuring a tighter seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a closure device with thick profile is used to seal the package, then the closure can be securely attached to the web material, but air gaps are created at the fin or lap seal area allowing air and product leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is divided into separate front and rear portions that can be positioned at different locations. The front closure portion is attached near the leading edge while the rear closure portion is positioned to extend into the fin seal area, allowing each segment to fulfill different functions without compromising the other
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device is extended in the longitudinal dimension to reach into the fin seal area. By making the closure device longer and positioning its rear portion into the seal area, the invention eliminates air gaps that would otherwise exist between the closure and the fin seal, while the front portion maintains secure attachment
2Ease of manufacture
If the closure is positioned away from the edges of the material to allow proper fin or lap seal formation, then the seal can be formed correctly, but air gaps are left between the closure ends where air and product can pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The rear closure portion is pre-positioned to extend into the fin seal area before the sealing process. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the fin seal is formed, the closure is already in place to eliminate air gaps, preventing air and product leakage from the outset
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device is segmented into front and rear portions with different positioning strategies. The front portion is held back from the edge to allow proper seal formation, while the rear portion extends into the fin seal area to eliminate air gaps, with each segment optimized for its specific function
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible package having a closure device and a lap or fin seal is provided that reduces or eliminates an air gap present at the fin or lap seal portion of packages. The package can include a film with a closure applied to the film. The flexible package can include a film having a closure device applied to the film transverse to the first and second side edges of the film, with the first side edge portion extending into the fin seal such that at least a portion of the first side edge portion eliminates an air gap between the fin or lap seal and at least one of the first and second side edge portions.