Paper Package with Tab and Hook Occluding System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging solutions for pharmaceutical and cosmetic products are complex and costly to manufacture, requiring additional equipment and materials, and do not effectively prevent complete extraction of products, posing a risk to children's safety.

Innovation Solution

A package with a compartment made of sheet material, featuring a closure system and occluding system that prevents complete extraction by using a tab and hook mechanism, allowing only one-sided opening and irreversible closure, made from paper material without the need for additional manufacturing adaptations or materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tray with projection and container with locking tab is used to prevent complete extraction, then child safety is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild safetyVSAvoidpackage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the safety function from the tray-container interface and relocates it to the cap-container interface. The cap's annular wall with engagement protrusions works with the container's corresponding features to prevent complete removal, separating the safety function from the product-holding tray structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cap serves multiple functions: it closes the opening, prevents complete extraction through engagement between its annular wall protrusions and container features, and maintains product integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate safety mechanisms in the tray design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a plastic tray with special projection structure is used, then complete extraction is prevented, but manufacturing cost and equipment requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses homogeneous sheet material (paper or cardboard) for both the container and cap, eliminating the need for plastic trays. The engagement features are formed through standard folding and joining processes applied to the sheet material, maintaining manufacturing simplicity and material consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The package is designed as a disposable unit where the cap and container are made from inexpensive sheet material. The safety function is achieved through simple geometric engagement features rather than durable plastic components, aligning with the disposable nature of pharmaceutical packaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a locking tab and projection system is implemented, then product safety is improved, but existing packaging plants require substantial adaptation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct safetyVSAvoidpackaging plant compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The package is segmented into standard components (container, cap, blister packs) that can be manufactured separately using existing equipment. The safety function emerges from the assembly of these standard components rather than requiring specialized integrated tooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying existing trays to include safety features, the invention inverts the approach by implementing safety features in the cap, which is a standard component already compatible with existing packaging lines. This maintains compatibility while achieving the safety objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10106305B2Package and associated container, process for making said package and said container

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 I G B SRL

AI summary

A package comprising a container exhibiting: a compartment having a passage opening delimited by a free edge, a closure system engaged at the free edge and movable with respect to the compartment between a closure condition and an open condition of the container. The package comprises a wrapping housed at least partially inside the compartment; the wrapping is configurable between a first operative position wherein the wrapping is completely housed in the compartment of the container and a second operative position wherein part of the wrapping is arranged outside the inner volume of the compartment: the wrapping, in the second operative position, exhibiting at least one portion housed in the inner volume of the compartment. The container comprises a stop element placed inside the compartment, emerging, from at least one lateral wall of the compartment, inside this latter in order to define a projection. The wrapping comprises at least one abutment element configured for abutting against the stop element of the container, for preventing the wrapping from being completely extracted from the container.