Paper-Based Detergent Container with Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detergent compositions, particularly water-soluble unit dose articles, are prone to structural failure and contamination due to extreme temperature variations during transport and storage, leading to premature rupture and sticking issues, and accidental premature opening of containers, which affects their stability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A consumer product featuring a container with a locking mechanism and paper-based materials that prevent accidental opening and minimize structural failure, using a water-soluble film for the unit dose articles that dissolves upon contact with water, and a container design with a paper-based interior to reduce leakage and sticking, ensuring the detergent composition remains sealed during storage and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water-soluble unit dose articles are stored in rigid or flexible plastic containers during transport and storage, then the container can be easily manufactured and transported, but the unit dose articles are subjected to extreme temperature variations causing structural failure and premature rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing individual water-soluble unit dose articles (pouches) inside an inner bag, which is then placed inside an outer box. This nested structure provides progressive protection: the inner bag isolates individual pouches to prevent sticking and contamination, while the outer box provides structural protection during transport and storage, reducing the impact of extreme temperature variations on the unit dose articles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary protective elements including the inner bag material (polyethylene or polypropylene), desiccant packets, and separation dividers. These intermediaries act as buffers between the unit dose articles and the harsh external environment, absorbing moisture, preventing direct contact between pouches, and reducing thermal stress during transport and storage.
2Device complexity
If water-soluble unit dose articles are stored in containers without protective measures, then the storage and transport process is simple, but the unit dose articles stick together and contaminate each other due to environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure of individual pouches within an inner bag, which is then placed in an outer box, creates physical separation between unit dose articles. This prevents them from sticking together while maintaining a relatively simple overall storage system that can be easily stacked and transported.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different protective qualities to different parts of the storage system: the inner bag provides moisture barrier and anti-stick properties, desiccant packets provide localized moisture absorption, and separation dividers provide physical isolation. This localized application of protective measures effectively prevents contamination and sticking without requiring complex overall system design.
3Reliability
If containers are equipped with latches to prevent accidental opening, then the container remains securely closed during transport, but the locking mechanism adds complexity to the container design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the container into separate functional components: an outer box for structural protection, an inner bag for moisture barrier and pouch containment, and a separate latch mechanism. This segmentation allows the locking function to be added without redesigning the entire container structure, maintaining relative simplicity while ensuring secure closure during transport.
4Productivity
If multiple water-soluble unit dose articles are stored together in a container, then the container provides efficient storage and transport, but structural failure of one article can contaminate other articles in the container
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure of individual pouches within an inner bag provides efficient storage (multiple pouches in one container) while the inner bag acts as a containment barrier. If one pouch fails structurally, the inner bag prevents leakage from contaminating other pouches, thus maintaining storage efficiency while preventing cross-contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the protective function from the container walls and assigns it to individual inner bags surrounding each pouch or groups of pouches. This allows multiple unit dose articles to be stored together efficiently while each article has its own protective envelope, preventing cross-contamination without requiring a complex multi-chamber container design.
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 effectively reduces structural failures and contamination of other unit dose articles, maintains the integrity of the detergent composition, and ensures secure closure of the container, enhancing user convenience and product stability.
Implementation Method 1
the water-soluble film dissolves and/or disintegrates releasing the detergent into the surrounding water to produce a wash liquor
Data Source
AI summary
Examples comprise a consumer product comprising a container with a first part comprising a first compartment in which detergent composition is contained and is accessible through a first opening. The container comprises a second part positioned to prevent access through the first opening. The container comprises a locking means. The first part comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface faces the first compartment; and wherein the interior surface is constructed from paper-based material. The first part is a box comprising at least a base and sidewalls, whereby the first opening is located in a specific sidewall.