Packaging Base Texture for Grip and Peelable Lid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging methods for solid products, such as thermoformed blister packs and shrink wrapped films, pose challenges in handling and stability due to direct contact risks and moisture absorption, leading to softening or dissolution, especially in humid conditions, which affects handling and dispensing accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A packaging solution featuring a base with textured surfaces and a peelable lid, made from flexible materials like polyethylene, nylon, or polypropylene, that forms a cavity to hold the solid product without direct contact, providing a moisture barrier and easy peeling mechanism for safe handling and dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If shrink wrapped films with small holes are used to package solid products, then the film can conform to the shape of the solid product, but moisture from the atmosphere enters through the holes causing the solid product to swell and dissolve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm conformity to product shapeVSAvoidsolid product stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible shrink-wrapped film that conforms to the shape of the solid product while providing a moisture barrier. The film is designed to be flexible enough to wrap tightly around the product, ensuring shape conformity, while simultaneously preventing moisture ingress that would cause swelling and dissolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Device complexity

If thermoformed blister packs require removal of backs or lids to dispense solid products, then packaging is simple, but user exposure to direct contact with solid products occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging structure simplicityVSAvoiduser exposure to caustic materials
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging design allows the solid product to be dispensed through the intact film without requiring the user to remove or break through the packaging. The product can be accessed through the film itself, enabling self-service dispensing while maintaining the protective barrier and preventing direct contact with caustic materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If solid products are packaged without a moisture barrier, then handling and dispensing is simple, but the solid products absorb humidity resulting in softening or dissolution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling simplicityVSAvoidsolid product stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible shrink-wrapped film serves as a moisture barrier that protects the solid product from absorbing humidity. This thin film encapsulation maintains product stability by preventing moisture ingress while keeping the overall packaging simple and easy to handle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Shape

If small holes are created in shrink wrapped films for air evacuation, then the film can shrink to conform to the product, but these holes allow moisture entry and direct product contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm conformityVSAvoidmoisture ingress and exposure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shrink-wrapped film is designed to provide air evacuation capability while maintaining an intact moisture barrier. The film's flexibility allows it to conform to the product shape during shrink wrapping, and the material itself serves as the moisture barrier without requiring holes that would compromise protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 allows for safe and stable handling of solid products by preventing direct contact and minimizing moisture absorption, maintaining product integrity and ensuring consistent dispensing without exposure to caustic materials, thus enhancing user safety and product stability.

Implementation Method 1

a seal (114) interconnecting the top (106) of the base (101) and the lid (111), the seal (114) allowing the lid (111) to be peeled away from the top (106) of the base (101)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

b) a texture on the exterior and interior surface of the base (101), whereby the texture enhances a user's ability to grip the base (101) when the base (101) is inverted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

wherein the base (101) is a flexible material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2043918B9Solid product packaging
Publication Date: 2011.09.21 ECOLAB INC
  • EP2043918B9 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2043918B9 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2043918B9 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A product packaging for a solid product comprises a base, a lid, and a seal. The base has a top, sides, and a bottom forming a cavity configured and arranged to receive a solid product, and the base has an exterior surface. A texture is on the exterior surface of the base, whereby the texture enhances a user's ability to grip the base when the base is inverted. The seal interconnects the top of the base and the lid and allows the lid to be peeled away from the top of the base.