Flexible Package Recyclable Closure for 3D Recycling Shape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible plastic packages, such as stand-up pouches, are not recyclable due to their flat shape, which causes contamination in material recovery facilities, as they are sorted with paper rather than 3-dimensional plastic items, leading to inefficiencies in recycling processes.
Innovation Solution
A flexible package with a recyclable closure that can be configured into a 3-dimensional shape, allowing it to be easily distinguished from flat materials like paper during recycling, using a recyclable closure that secures the package in this shape for efficient sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If flexible plastic packages are made flat and two-dimensional for storage and transport, then storage efficiency is improved, but recycling sorting accuracy deteriorates because they are sorted with paper instead of plastic
Solution Approach 1:
The package dynamically changes its shape between flat (for storage) and 3-dimensional (for recycling). The closure mechanism enables the package to transition from a collapsed flat state to an inflated 3-dimensional state, allowing it to adapt to different functional requirements at different stages of its lifecycle
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the package from a two-dimensional flat shape to a three-dimensional shape by inflating it using gas. This dimensional change enables the package to be distinguished during recycling sorting, as 3-dimensional objects are properly sorted with plastic while 2-dimensional objects are sorted with paper
2Reliability
If flexible plastic packages are made from multi-polymer films to provide desired properties, then package performance is improved, but recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material composition parameter by using single-polymer films instead of multi-polymer films. This parameter change maintains the necessary package performance while enabling recyclability, as single-polymer materials can be processed in existing recycling streams
3Manufacturing precision
If a closure mechanism is added to maintain 3-dimensional shape for recycling, then recycling sorting accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is designed to be temporary and disposable. It serves its purpose during recycling by maintaining the 3-dimensional shape, then is discarded along with the package. This approach avoids the need for permanent complex mechanisms while achieving the sorting accuracy goal
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible package having a recyclable closure is disclosed along with a method of configuring the package for recycling. The flexible package includes a front surface, a back surface, an open first end, a closed second end, and a pair of sides joining the open first end to the closed second end to form an enclosure. A closing seal is formed to close the open first end after the enclosure has been filled with a product. The flexible package also has a recyclable closure spaced apart from the closing seal. The recyclable closure has a first end and a second end. The first end is secured to one of the front or back surfaces, whereby once the product has been removed from the enclosure, the flexible package is configured into a 3-dimensional shape. The recyclable closure is then used to retain the flexible package in the 3-dimensional shape.