Heat-Bonded Package Support for Stable Easy Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food packaging solutions with facilitated opening systems require significant material and process modifications, leading to increased production costs and complexity, while offering limited user convenience and stability during opening.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a support with distinct heat bonding properties for the closing film, allowing for a simple and cost-effective manufacturing process without requiring extensive modifications to existing production lines, and providing a clear tactile or visual indication of the opening mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a facilitated opening system with multiple gripping portions and separable tabs is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closing film is divided into a first part that remains attached to the tray and a second part that forms the removable opening portion. This segmentation allows the user to grip and remove only the necessary portion (second part) while leaving the first part attached to the tray, providing facilitated opening without requiring complex separable tabs or multiple gripping portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential opening function from a complex multi-component system and implements it through a single integrated closing film structure. The second part of the closing film is designed to be removable while the first part remains, extracting only the necessary elements for facilitated opening and eliminating unnecessary complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a facilitated opening system with separable components is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing film is segmented into functional zones (first part attached to tray, second part for removal) that can be formed in a single manufacturing process. This avoids the need for separate components and assembly operations, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining facilitated opening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the sealing function and the facilitated opening function into a single closing film structure. The first part provides sealing attachment to the tray while the second part provides the removable opening portion, combining multiple functions without requiring separate components or increased manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a facilitated opening system with multiple components is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but production speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing film is segmented into attached and removable portions that can be formed simultaneously in a single continuous manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for multiple components, maintaining high production speed while providing facilitated opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing film is pre-formed with the first and second parts integrated during the initial film forming process, before packaging occurs. The separation line is pre-defined in the film structure, allowing for rapid opening by the user without requiring complex assembly or disassembly operations during packaging or opening.
4Ease of operation
If material quantity is increased to provide facilitated opening features, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential elements needed for facilitated opening from more complex prior art designs. By using a single closing film with a defined separation line rather than multiple separable tabs and gripping portions, the solution reduces material quantity while maintaining the facilitated opening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing film serves multiple functions: it seals the package, provides a gripping surface for opening, and defines a removable portion for facilitated access. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional separate components, reducing overall material quantity while improving ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables quick and easy opening of the package with stable handling, reducing manufacturing costs and maintaining production efficiency while ensuring a user-friendly experience.
Implementation Method 1
a closing film (10) bonded to the support (1)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Package for containing a product (P) comprising a support (1) having a base (2) configured for receiving the product (P), a peripheral flange (6) surrounding the base (2) and forming at least one gripping tab (22), and a closing film (10) engaged with at least part of the peripheral flange to define a housing compartment for the product. The support is formed from a plastic substrate having a first surface (1a) and a second surface (1b), with the second surface presenting heat bonding properties to the closing film different from the heat bonding properties of the first surface to the same closing film. The gripping tab (22) comprises a first portion (22a) and a second portion (22b) arranged above the first portion, whereby the gripping tab is externally defined by the second surface (1b) of the substrate. The gripping tab (22) also comprises a peripheral edge which is part of a radially external perimeter (3) of the peripheral flange (6).