Inner-Bag Pulp Container for Recyclable Liquid Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging solutions for liquids face challenges such as high energy consumption, non-biodegradability, and inefficient recycling due to the use of materials like glass, plastics, and laminated cardboard, which require separation of components for disposal and recycling, leading to environmental issues like landfill waste and resource inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a hollow shell made from recycled or biodegradable pulp material, molded into an open shape and folded to form a hollow structure, with a moisture-resistant bag or liner inside that extends through a dispensing aperture, allowing for easy filling and dispensing without direct contact with the shell, enabling separate disposal and recycling of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass bottles are used for packaging beverages, then the bottles can be recycled, but the energy required to make the bottles is high and the weight is high increasing transport energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from glass to molded pulp, which is biodegradable and requires less energy to produce. The pulp container maintains the necessary structural properties while being made from a different material with better environmental characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable molded pulp container that can be easily disposed of after use. The container is designed to be used once and then decomposed, eliminating the need for recycling infrastructure and reducing the energy associated with manufacturing new containers.
2Reliability
If plastic bottles are used for packaging beverages, then the material could be recycled if separated from other waste, but the bottles are not biodegradable and take up excessive space in landfill sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to molded pulp, transforming the container from non-biodegradable to biodegradable. This material substitution eliminates the harmful environmental effect of plastic persistence in landfills while maintaining the container's functional properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable molded pulp container that decomposes naturally after use. The container is designed for single-use and then biodegrades, eliminating the need for recycling separation and reducing landfill volume significantly.
3Reliability
If laminated cardboard containers are used for packaging liquid, then the cardboard may be recycled material, but the waterproof coating prevents them from fully decomposing and makes them difficult to recycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the waterproof coating layer that prevents decomposition. The molded pulp container is made without any laminated coatings, allowing the entire structure to biodegrade naturally after use, eliminating the harmful effect of persistent synthetic coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameter by eliminating synthetic coatings and using only molded pulp. This material parameter change transforms the container from difficult-to-decompose to fully biodegradable while maintaining liquid containment through the pulp's inherent properties.
4Stability of the object's composition
If wine boxes with foil bags are used for packaging wine, then the structure provides stability, but the separation of parts made from different materials is very difficult for disposal and recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (container structure, liquid barrier, dispensing mechanism) into a single integrated molded pulp container. The dispensing tap and container body are formed as one piece, eliminating the need to separate different materials for disposal and simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses molded pulp as a composite material that combines structural stability with liquid containment properties. The single-material construction provides both mechanical strength and barrier properties without requiring separate components made from different materials.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~6B
Figure 7A~7C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a container (1) having a hollow shell defining a body with a dispensing aperture, and a bag (4) within the shell (2) , the open end of the bag extending through the dispensing aperture and being secured with respect to the outside of the shell. The bag (4) is made from a material suitable for containing the intended contents of the container (1). Therefore the shell (2) may be formed from a material that would not be suitable for containing the intended contents of the container alone. The shell (2) may be formed from a biodegradable material, such as wood or paper pulp. The bag (4) may be separated from the main body of the container to allow for separate disposal. The container (1) may be sealed by providing a spout through which the contents of the container are to be dispensed, and by folding the spout over to create a nip which seals the container.