Gusset Pouch Closure System with Integrated Measuring Utensil Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gusset style pouches lack user-friendly features for storing and retrieving measuring utensils, leading to difficulties in precise measurement and potential product contamination, especially when handling granular or powdery products.
Innovation Solution
A gusset style pouch with a closure system that includes a protruding contact part on one of the strips, which serves as a leveling and retaining element for measuring utensils, allowing easy storage and retrieval without inclining the utensil vertically, and a hold open arrangement that maintains the pouch in an open configuration for easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional gusset style pouch without a protruding contact part is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the user cannot easily store or retrieve measuring utensils, leading to potential product contamination and measurement difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into two separate strips (first strip and second strip) that can be independently formed and sealed to the pouch walls. This segmentation allows the protruding contact part to be integrated into one strip without complicating the entire closure system, enabling utensil storage while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding contact part serves a dual function: it is both a structural element of the closure system and a storage mechanism for measuring utensils. The contact part's geometry (including recesses or engagement features) allows it to automatically retain utensils when the pouch is open, eliminating the need for separate storage components
2Ease of operation
If a protruding contact part is added to the closure system, then measuring utensils can be easily stored and retrieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding contact part is merged with the first strip of the closure system, forming an integrated component. This allows the contact part to be manufactured as a single piece with the strip using the same extrusion or forming process, avoiding additional assembly steps and maintaining manufacturing efficiency while providing utensil storage functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The first strip serves multiple functions: it provides the closure sealing surface, structural support for the closure system, and incorporates the protruding contact part for utensil storage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while enhancing user convenience
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protruding contact part extends below the interlocking area, then utensils can be stored at a distance from the food product reducing contamination risk, but the closure system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding contact part extends in the vertical dimension below the interlocking area of the closure system, creating a spatial separation between the utensil storage location and the food product. This dimensional arrangement allows utensils to be stored away from the contents, reducing contamination risk while the contact part remains integrated into the closure system structure
4Ease of operation
If a hold open arrangement is added to maintain the pouch in an open configuration, then easy access to contents is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hold open arrangement incorporates a flexible or movable element that allows the closure system to transition between closed and open states. When opened, the mechanism automatically maintains the pouch in an open configuration through elastic recovery or mechanical engagement, providing easy access to contents without requiring constant manual holding while adding minimal structural complexity
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3~7
Figure 8A~8C
AI summary
The gusset style pouch (1) is provided with a resealable closure system (2) configured to selectively define a top opening (7) of the pouch, at the opposite from a bottom (3), at least one strip (8, 9) of this system (2) being adapted for locking an open configuration, by engaging locking elements that pivot and cause interengagement between the strips of the closure system. The locking elements (41) are integrally formed with at least one strip (8) of said system and made of a semi rigid plastic material, less flexible than material of the pouch sidewall. An elongated predetermined measuring utensil (100) of shorter length than height (H) of an interior pouch volume can be stored along the sidewall by use of a holding part (55) formed on the strip (8) as a lower extension. A leveling can also be performed using a free edge (56) below the interlocking area.