Insert Part for Packaging Opening with Dual Sealing System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insert parts for packaging openings face challenges in providing a reliable sealing effect without using adhesives or ultrasonic welding, which can lead to contamination and increased production costs, especially for food packaging where ecological and health concerns are paramount.

Innovation Solution

A dual sealing system with a first and second sealing section on the insert part that can be mechanically inserted into the packaging opening, ensuring a redundant sealing effect without adhesives or welding, allowing for the use of materials like wood or bamboo and reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive is used to seal the insert to the packaging, then sealing reliability is improved, but production cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (adhesive) with a mechanical interlocking system. The insert features a flange with circumferential engagement elements that mechanically interlock with the packaging container's rim, eliminating the need for adhesive application while maintaining sealing reliability through the mechanical connection and integrated sealing elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the adhesive component from the sealing system. By designing self-contained sealing elements integrated into the insert structure that work in conjunction with the mechanical engagement features, the solution removes the adhesive step entirely, reducing production complexity while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If ultrasonic welding is used to attach the insert to the packaging, then adhesive is eliminated, but material selection is limited and microparticle contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidmicroparticle contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal welding system (ultrasonic welding) with a mechanical interlocking system. The flange with engagement elements provides a purely mechanical attachment method that avoids the thermal process entirely, eliminating microparticle contamination while expanding material selection to include materials that cannot be ultrasonic welded.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the limitation of不能用焊接连接的材料 into an advantage by designing a mechanical connection system that works with a broader range of materials, including those that cannot be welded or melted, thereby turning a restrictive constraint into an enabling feature for material diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If the insert is designed with a tight fit to prevent leakage, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but insertion difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the insert structure into distinct functional zones: a leading insertion edge for easy entry, a mid-section with sealing elements that engage the packaging rim, and a flange with engagement elements for final securement. This segmentation allows the insert to progress through insertion stages, maintaining ease of insertion while achieving effective sealing through the staged engagement of different features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates preliminary sealing features on the insertion edge and mid-section that begin sealing the container opening as the insert is being inserted, before the final flange engagement occurs. This preliminary sealing action ensures leakage prevention is established early in the insertion process, maintaining both ease of insertion and sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4175889B1Insert part for a packaging opening, and method for insterting an insert part into a packaging opening
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 INDUFLEX ROBERT MORGAN E K
  • EP4175889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4175889B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4175889B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an insert part (10) for a packaging opening (54) formed in an item of packaging (50), in particular an item of food packaging. The insert part comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow body (12) for conducting packaging contents through the packaging opening, wherein the insert part comprises a first sealing portion (18) for sealing the packaging opening in the region of an inner face of the item of packaging, wherein the insert part comprises a second sealing portion (20) for sealing the packaging opening in the region of an outer face of the item of packaging. A gap (36) for receiving an edge portion (52) of the item of packaging that delimits the packaging opening is formed between the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion, wherein the insert part comprises at least one introduction aid (22) for introducing the edge portion into the gap.