Laundry Scent Additive Package with Shrink-Sleeve Dosing Cup Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging designs for particulate laundry scent additives are prone to dosing cup separation during handling, leading to incomplete products, potential spills when consumers test the scent, and inconvenience in dispensing with three separate elements, which results in financial losses and user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a container, closure, and dosing cup with a shrink sleeve wrapping around the container and dosing cup, providing a secure engagement mechanism and allowing scent sampling without opening the package, enabling two-handed dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dosing cup is peripherally snapped to the closure, then the dosing cup is positioned conveniently for use, but the dosing cup may become separated during shipping or handling
Solution Approach 1:
A shrink band (flexible film) is applied around the container, closure, and dosing cup to mechanically engage all three components together. The shrink band contracts to provide frictional engagement and prevents the dosing cup from becoming separated from the closure during shipping or handling, while maintaining the convenient peripheral positioning for use.
2Ease of operation
If the closure is opened to smell the product, then the consumer can verify the scent, but the product may spill or be exposed to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
A vent opening is provided in the dosing cup that allows air to pass through while retaining the particulate laundry scent additive. This enables the consumer to smell the product by opening the closure without causing product spillage, as the vent opening is sized and dimensioned to allow airflow but block the larger particulate material.
3Productivity
If three separate elements (container, closure, dosing cup) are handled, then the product can be dispensed, but it requires both hands and is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink band mechanically engages the container, closure, and dosing cup into a single integrated assembly. By applying the shrink band around all three components and allowing it to contract, the patent merges the handling of three separate elements into one unified structure that can be conveniently handled with one hand while maintaining full dispensing functionality.
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 design ensures the dosing cup remains attached during handling, allows consumers to sample the scent without opening the package, and facilitates convenient two-handed use, reducing spills and financial losses while enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a shrink sleeve wrapping around the container and the closure and at least a portion of the tapered portion of the dosing cup wall
Data Source
AI summary
A package for a particulate laundry scent additive.