Paper Container With Segmented Tearable Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper or cardboard containers for food products face issues such as accidental tearing during transportation, tampering, and air leakage, leading to spoilage, and are difficult to recycle due to the use of plastic closing elements.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a first and second panel with independent tearable lines of weakness, allowing for open and close functions, and a tamper-evident mechanism, made from paper or cardboard with optional oxygen barrier layers, enabling secure and recyclable packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a tearable line of weakness is used to allow easy opening, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental tearing during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidaccidental tearing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container includes a first panel and a second panel, each with independent tearable lines of weakness. This segmentation allows controlled opening while preventing accidental tearing, as each panel can be independently opened or closed without affecting the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tearable lines of weakness are pre-positioned in specific locations on the panels. These preliminary prepared lines guide the user on where to tear to open the container, while the overall structure remains intact during transportation, preventing accidental opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a tearable line of weakness is used for opening, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors worsen due to air passage formation before tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidair passage and spoilage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two panels with independent tearable lines. The first panel can be opened without compromising the seal of the second panel, preventing air passage and product spoilage until both panels are intentionally opened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-panel structure with independent tear lines provides a protective mechanism that prevents harmful air passage before the intended opening occurs. The intact second panel acts as a barrier cushioning against contamination until both panels are properly opened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If a plastic closing element is used for reclosure, then ease of operation is improved, but environmental impact worsens due to recycling difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereclosure functionVSAvoidenvironmental impact and recycling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container uses only paper or cardboard materials for both panels and the closing mechanism, eliminating plastic components. This homogeneity in material composition enables the entire container to be easily recycled while maintaining the reclosure function through the paper-based first and second panels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

4Reliability

If a complex closing system with plastic cap is used, then reliability is improved for preventing tampering, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper preventionVSAvoidclosing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tamper prevention function is achieved through segmentation into two independent panels with tearable lines. This simpler structure provides effective tamper evidence without requiring complex mechanical closing systems, as the integrity of both panels must be maintained for the container to be properly closed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3736222B1Container with open and close function
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 ARTI GRAFICHE REGGIANI SRL
  • EP3736222B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3736222B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2d
  • EP3736222B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

This invention relates to a container (1) for food products and to a blank (S) for making the container, combined to provide a convenient closing system (110, 111, 120, 121) for closing the container (1)which allows the container to have an open and close function and to have a tamper evident function in connection with any movement of the closing system.