Flexible Reclosable Packaging Lid With Integrated Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing re-closable packaging assemblies face challenges with contamination affecting the adhesive coating, leading to reduced sealing effectiveness and increased production costs due to the need for injection-molded plastic lids, which are expensive and time-consuming to produce.
Innovation Solution
A re-closable packaging assembly featuring a container formed from a first sheet with a lid member and hinge portion, where the lid member is pivotable between open and closed positions, using engagement features like ridges and channels for securement, eliminating the need for a separately fabricated lid assembly and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an adhesive coating is used on the flap to enable resealing, then the packaging assembly achieves re-closable functionality, but the adhesive coating becomes contaminated by dust, moisture, or debris, reducing sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the separate lid assembly with its own sealing mechanism) that mediates between the container opening and the adhesive flap, preventing direct contact between contaminants and the adhesive coating while maintaining sealing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the container body, the adhesive flap, and the separate lid assembly. This segmentation isolates the adhesive coating from contamination sources while preserving its sealing capability
2Reliability
If an injection-molded plastic lid assembly is used to protect against contamination, then sealing reliability is maintained, but production cost and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly is integrated directly onto the flexible packaging material through heat sealing, combining previously separate manufacturing steps into a single continuous process, thereby reducing production time and eliminating the need for separate injection molding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameters from injection molding (high temperature, long cycle time) to heat sealing (lower temperature, shorter duration), significantly reducing production time while maintaining sealing reliability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an injection-molded plastic lid assembly is used, then protection against contamination is achieved, but the packaging assembly weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid injection-molded plastic components with flexible thermoplastic material that forms the lid assembly, maintaining protective functionality while significantly reducing weight through the use of thin-film material
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible, stackable, recloseable container for storing a quantity of products comprising a plurality of walls defined by a first sheet and a second sheet attached to at least a portion of the first sheet. The second sheet extends over at least three of the walls. The opposing container walls each have a sealed portion and one or more tucks, the tucks comprising a portion of the first sheet tucked toward the interior volume. A portion of the second sheet defines a recloseable feature located over an opening for reclosing the container. The second sheet includes a line of reduced strength at or adjacent at least a boundary adjacent the tucks and disposed between the opposing container walls each having the sealed portion and an adjacent container wall. The second sheet can include a hinge about which the recloseable feature pivots from closed position to open position.