Packaging Bag Dual Reclosure Reducing Head Fold Thickness

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging bags with reclosures, such as Velcro fasteners, struggle to achieve a tight and secure closure, especially when folded multiple times, and often result in a thick and aesthetically unappealing head fold, while also providing inadequate barrier protection for powdery contents and aroma preservation.

Innovation Solution

A packaging bag design featuring a second reclosure with at least one closure element on the inside of a front wall, allowing for partial closure without folding the front walls, combined with an outside reclosure that can be folded over to create a stable and secure head seam, using Velcro fasteners or similar refasteners, and optionally incorporating a non-reclosable adhesive layer for tamper-evidence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the front walls are folded over multiple times to ensure tight closure, then the sealing effect is improved, but the head fold becomes thick and aesthetically unappealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidhead fold thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The reclosure system is divided into two separate reclosures: a first reclosure with closure elements on the outer sides of the front walls, and a second reclosure with at least one closure element on the inner side of a front wall. This segmentation allows each reclosure to perform a specific function, with the second reclosure providing initial closure without requiring multiple folds, thus reducing head fold thickness while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If closure elements are arranged on outer sides of front walls, then the closure is simple to implement, but the sealing effect is insufficient for fine powdery contents and aroma protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure implementationVSAvoidbarrier protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a single-plane closure arrangement to a multi-dimensional arrangement by placing closure elements on both the outer and inner sides of the front walls. The second reclosure with closure elements on the inner side adds a new dimension to the closure system, enabling effective sealing against powdery contents and aroma without complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a second reclosure is added to improve sealing, then the barrier effect is enhanced, but the top fold becomes comparatively thick

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarrier effectVSAvoidtop fold thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The second reclosure with closure elements on the inner side of the front wall provides preliminary closure action, creating a secure seal before the front walls are folded over. This preliminary closure reduces the need for multiple folds, thereby enhancing the barrier effect while keeping the head fold thin and aesthetically pleasing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design ensures a tight and easy-to-use closure with fewer folds, maintaining a secure seal and improving aesthetic appeal by reducing the thickness of the head fold, while providing a good barrier effect until the bag is opened.

Implementation Method 1

using Velcro fasteners or similar refasteners

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVelcro: Velcro

Implementation Method 2

optionally incorporating a non-reclosable adhesive layer for tamper-evidence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3954624B1Packaging bag and method for producing a packaging bag
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 MONDI AG
  • EP3954624B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3954624B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3954624B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The invention relates to a packaging bag with a bag body (4) having two front walls (1, 2), wherein the bag body (4) can be closed by folding over the front walls (1, 2) via a re-closure (6) arranged at an upper end, the re-closure having two cooperating closure elements (6a, 6b) arranged on the outer sides of the front walls (1, 2). According to the invention, the bag body (4) has a second re-closure (7) with two cooperating closure elements (7a, 7b), wherein at least one of the closure elements (7a, 7b) is arranged on an inner side of the first front wall (1).