Packaged Product Unit With Perimetrically Welded Straw Seal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaged product units with sealed straws are complex to produce, difficult to use, and prone to product spillage due to the need to maneuver the straw for activation and risk of leakage.
Innovation Solution
A packaged product unit design where the straw is welded perimetrically to the package, creating a continuous seal, allowing for easy access without manual manipulation, and a method involving two opposing shells welded along a continuous seal to form an inner cavity with a sealed straw, preventing leakage by incorporating a weakening line and breakable portion for easy opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the straw is manually inserted into the container to activate communication with the liquid, then the package can be opened and accessed, but the user must push the straw into the container which complicates the operation and creates risk of product spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The straw is pre-positioned within the elongated portion of the inner cavity and pre-sealed to the package wall at the proximal end. The distal end is sealed by the cap portion before use. This preliminary positioning and sealing eliminates the need for manual insertion operations and prevents spillage during activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap portion serves as an intermediary element that simultaneously seals the distal end of the straw and provides a removable closure for the package. When removed, it exposes the straw for use while maintaining the seal integrity of the proximal end through the welding to the package wall.
2Reliability
If the straw is sealed inside the package until use, then the product remains protected, but the production process becomes rather complex
Solution Approach 1:
The package structure is segmented into distinct functional portions: the pocket portion containing the product, the elongated portion housing the straw, and the cap portion providing closure. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and assembled, simplifying the overall production process while maintaining product protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal sealing area merges the straw sealing function with the package wall structure through perimetric welding. The elongated portion integrates both product containment and straw housing functions. This merging reduces the number of separate sealing operations and simplifies manufacturing.
3Reliability
If the straw is welded perimetrically to the package in a proximal sealing area, then product leakage along the straw outer surface is prevented, but the welding process adds manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The perimetric welding creates a continuous seal around the proximal end of the straw, ensuring uninterrupted protection against product leakage along the straw outer surface. This continuous sealing action maintains product integrity throughout storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding material and the package wall material are made homogeneous or compatible to ensure strong adhesion and seamless integration. This homogeneity ensures reliable sealing without requiring complex multi-material joining processes.
4Ease of operation
If a weakening is provided to define a line of separation for the cap portion, then the package can be easily opened by twisting, but the weakening must be carefully positioned to maintain sealing integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The weakening is locally positioned in the cap portion at a specific distance from the proximal sealing area, creating a localized separation line. This local modification allows easy opening by twisting while preserving the integrity of the proximal sealing area that prevents leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The weakening line is pre-formed in the cap portion during manufacturing, establishing the exact separation line before use. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the cap is twisted off, the weakening breaks at the correct location without compromising the proximal sealing area.
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 solution simplifies production, ensures easy and spill-free access to the product, maintaining a sealed environment until use, and facilitates comfortable consumption without compromising the sealing integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The outer wall of the straw is welded perimetrically to the package in a proximal sealing area
Implementation Method 2
the outer wall of the straw can have a corrugation at its proximal end. The corrugation can facilitate the hold of the welding in the proximal sealing area
Data Source
Figure 1~8
Figure 2~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
A packaged product unit comprises a package (2, 22) with an inner cavity (5) comprising a pocket portion (6) containing a product (P) and communicating with an elongated portion (7) in which a straw is housed (3, 23). The straw (3, 23) has a proximal end (3a, 23a) which leads into the pocket portion (6) and a distal end (3b, 23b) which is closed by a cap portion (10) of the pack (2, 22). The outer wall of the straw (3, 23) is welded perimetrically to the pack (2, 22) in a proximal sealing area (11) at the proximal end (3a, 23a) of the straw (3, 23), to prevent leakage of the product (P) from the pocket portion (6) along the outer surface of the straw (3, 23).