Single-Piece Molded Dental Floss Package With Interference Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental floss packaging is costly and environmentally impactful due to complex assembly requirements and additional packaging, leading to increased manufacturing and disposal issues.

Innovation Solution

A single-piece, molded dental floss package with a box-shaped body, a closing body, and a detachable additional body for display, featuring a thin folding line and interference coupling to eliminate the need for adhesives and reduce assembly complexity, while providing a dust-proof housing and easy floss access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional multi-component packaging with adhesives is used, then secure enclosure is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure enclosureVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate packaging components (box body, closing body, additional body) into a single integrated molded structure. The box-shaped body, closing body, and additional body are all obtained integrally from a single piece of transparent plastic material, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly operations while maintaining the secure enclosure function through built-in interference coupling features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single-piece molded structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the box-shaped housing, the closing mechanism, the additional display body, and the interference coupling features all in one component. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate adhesive joining operations while achieving secure assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If multiple materials (plastic and cardboard) coupled with adhesives are used, then structural integrity is achieved, but environmental impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a homogeneous material approach by constructing the entire package from a single type of transparent plastic material. This eliminates the need for adhesive bonding between different materials (plastic and cardboard) and creates a uniform structure that is easier to recycle, thereby reducing environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity through interference coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The single-piece molded package is designed as a disposable unit that combines structural integrity with ease of disposal. By using a single material system without adhesives or mixed materials, the package maintains its strength during use but becomes significantly easier to recycle or dispose of, reducing environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate components requiring assembly are used, then functional requirements are met, but assembly time and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components into a single molded structure that is produced as one piece. The box-shaped body, closing body, and additional body with their respective functions (housing, sealing, display) are all integrated into one component, eliminating assembly operations and reducing production time while maintaining all necessary functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The package is pre-formed as a complete single-piece structure during molding, with all functional features (walls, openings, coupling interfaces) already in place. This preliminary formation eliminates the need for subsequent assembly operations, significantly reducing assembly time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If traditional packaging with additional blister pack is used, then product protection is achieved, but packaging cost and waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct protectionVSAvoidpackaging waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the product packaging with the display function into a single integrated structure. The box-shaped body provides product protection while the additional body with aperture enables display, eliminating the need for separate blister packaging and reducing packaging material waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single-piece molded package simultaneously provides product protection, sealing, and display functions. The transparent material and integrated additional body with aperture allow the package to serve as both protective housing and display unit, eliminating the need for additional blister packs and reducing overall packaging waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

This solution reduces manufacturing and packaging costs, minimizes environmental impact, and simplifies the assembly process, allowing for direct display and use without additional packaging, while maintaining a secure and dust-proof enclosure for the dental floss spool.

Implementation Method 1

the box-shaped body is interference-coupled with the closing body by means of a wall encircling the spool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference coupling:

Data Source

PatentEP2379002B1Dental floss package
Publication Date: 2013.09.18 PROFIMED SRL
  • EP2379002B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2379002B1 patent drawingFigure 3~2A
  • EP2379002B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A dental floss package is disclosed. The package comprises a box- shaped body, wherein the dental floss can be housed in the form of a spool, further comprising a cutting blade and a closing body, as well as an addi- tional body (3, 23) provided with an aperture (3c) for the fastening thereof to a display, wherein the additional body is obtained integrally with the box- shaped body or said closing body but is detachable along a weakening line (6), the box-shaped body (1, 11, 21, 110) and the closing body (2, 12, 22, 120) are also obtained integrally and joined along a thin folding line (5), and wherein the box-shaped body (1, 11, 21, 110) is interference-coupled with the closing body (2, 12, 22, 120) by means of a wall encircling said spool (4).