Chewing Gum Package With Movable Panels And Dispenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional chewing gum packaging does not allow consumers to control the taste of the gum, unlike other candy products, and existing solutions such as liquid-filled centers do not provide the same level of flavor adjustment and extension as liquid dispensers in other candies.

Innovation Solution

A chewing gum package featuring a dispenser holder with a gum holder that includes movable panels for access control and a detachable dispenser for flavored liquid, allowing consumers to adjust the taste and extend the flavor duration of the gum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional simple packaging is used for chewing gum, then the packaging is easy to manufacture and provides easy access to gum, but it does not allow consumers to control or extend the flavor experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor control capabilityVSAvoidpackaging structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the gum holder and dispenser holder into a single integrated packaging structure. The dispenser holder is attached to the gum holder, creating a unified package that provides both gum storage and flavor dispensing capabilities. This merging allows the packaging to offer enhanced adaptability (flavor control) without proportionally increasing complexity, as the components share a common structural framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging structure serves multiple functions: it holds the gum sticks, provides access to individual gum pieces through movable panels, and incorporates a dispenser for applying flavored liquid. This multi-functionality allows a single packaging structure to deliver both basic containment and enhanced flavor control, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If liquid-filled center approach is used in chewing gum, then some flavor extension is achieved, but it does not provide consumer control over flavor application like liquid dispensers in other candies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor adjustment controlVSAvoidpackaging structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs movable panels (flaps) that can be opened or closed to control access to the gum and dispenser. This dynamic element allows consumers to easily operate the package by opening panels to access gum or activate the dispenser, providing intuitive flavor adjustment control without complex mechanisms. The dynamic panels resolve the contradiction by offering simple, intuitive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If movable panels are added to control access to gum, then consumer control over gum access is improved, but the packaging structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegum access controlVSAvoidpackaging structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is segmented into distinct functional areas controlled by separate movable panels. One panel controls access to the gum sticks, while another provides access to the dispenser. This segmentation allows independent control of different functions through simple panel movements, improving ease of operation without requiring a completely complex restructuring of the entire package.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3253687B1Packaging for chewing gum
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 THE TOPPS COMPANY INC
  • EP3253687B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3253687B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3253687B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A chewing gum package includes a dispenser, a dispenser holder, and a gum holder. The dispenser is configured to dispense a flavored liquid. The dispenser holder is configured to detachably receive and hold the dispenser. The gum holder is configured to hold a chewing gum product. The gum holder includes a first panel connected relative to and extending outward from a first side of the dispenser holder, and a second panel connected relative to and extending outward from a first side of the dispenser holder. The first panel and the second panel are configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position. The first panel and the second panel are substantially parallel to one another in the closed position to inhibit access to the chewing gum product and are not parallel to one another in the open position to increase access to the gum product.