Hygiene Packaging Unit With Segmented Adhesive Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging units for hygiene articles fail to provide a secure, hygienic, and discreet disposal method for used items, especially when immediate disposal is not possible, as they often lack effective sealing to prevent staining and odor leakage.

Innovation Solution

A packaging unit formed from a sheet of material with microencapsulated adhesive on its edge zones, allowing for easy opening and reclosable sealing, using a combination of microencapsulated adhesive and a different sealing means to ensure strong and hygienic closure, suitable for both new and used articles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pressure sensitive adhesive is used for both initial sealing and resealing, then the package can be easily opened and resealed, but the adhesive strength for resealing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening and resealingVSAvoidadhesive strength for resealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The edge zone is divided into two distinct portions: an inner edge portion with microencapsulated adhesive for strong resealing, and an outer edge portion with pressure-sensitive adhesive for easy opening. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different adhesive types are applied to different locations on the same edge zone. The inner edge portion uses microencapsulated adhesive for strong bonding, while the outer edge portion uses pressure-sensitive adhesive for easy manipulation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If a strong adhesive is used for sealing, then the package provides strong sealing, but the package becomes difficult to open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing strengthVSAvoidease of opening
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is segmented into two zones: the inner edge portion uses microencapsulated adhesive for strong sealing, while the outer edge portion uses pressure-sensitive adhesive for easy opening. This allows the package to be both strongly sealed and easily opened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different adhesive characteristics are localized to different regions. The inner portion provides strong sealing strength, while the outer portion provides ease of opening. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing strength and ease of opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the packaging unit is designed for discrete disposal, then hygiene is improved, but the packaging must be tightly sealed to prevent staining and odor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene for disposalVSAvoidsealing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing mechanism is segmented into two functional zones on the edge: microencapsulated adhesive for strong sealing and pressure-sensitive adhesive for easy opening. This segmentation achieves tight sealing for hygiene without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive properties are changed through microencapsulation, allowing the adhesive to provide strong bonding when needed for disposal sealing, while remaining simple to apply and effective. This parameter change achieves reliable sealing without complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 packaging unit effectively prevents staining and odor leakage while maintaining high reclosability, ensuring a secure and hygienic disposal of used hygiene articles with a closure rate of over 75% after 1 hour, even when exposed to external forces.

Implementation Method 1

at least a part of said edge zone is provided with microencapsulated adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the packaging unit provides for a possibility of forming an easily openable package for a new article and a tightly sealed package for a used article

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-sensitive adhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3672551B1A packaging unit for hygiene articles
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 ESSITY HYGIENE & HEALTH AB
  • EP3672551B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3672551B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3672551B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A packaging unit for hygiene articles and a method for producing the same. The packaging unit being formed from a sheet of material having an inner surface (2) and an outer surface (3), the inner surface (2) comprising an edge zone (4), the sheet having at least one folding axis (5), the folding axis dividing said sheet into a first region (7) and a second region (8), the sheet may be folded along said folding axes (5) with the first (7) and second (8) regions in an overlapping configuration, at least a part of the edge zone (4) is provided with microencapsulated adhesive.