Peelable Condom Packaging With Segmented Seal Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Condom packaging often damages the product during opening, especially for consumers with reduced dexterity or hand strength, leading to uncertainty about whether the condom is undamaged or damaged during opening.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system using multilayer films with a perimeter band that includes a peel-apart seal, allowing easy access to the condom while minimizing damage, featuring a first and second tab on the films that are exterior to the perimeter band, and configured to separate at a controlled peel force, ensuring the condom remains undamaged during opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional foil packaging is used with tearing or cutting to open, then the package can be opened to access the product, but the product may be damaged during opening especially for consumers with reduced dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging seal is segmented into different zones with different peel forces. The perimeter band has a first section configured as a peel-apart seal with lower peel force for easy opening, and a second section with higher peel force that prevents complete separation. This segmentation allows consumers with reduced dexterity to open the package easily while ensuring the product remains protected and undamaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the peel force characteristics at different sections of the seal. The first section of the perimeter band is designed to peel apart at a first peel force, while the second section requires a second peel force that is greater than the first. This parameter variation enables easy opening at the first section while maintaining product integrity through the stronger second section.
2Ease of operation
If the package is designed to be fully peelable for easy opening, then access to the product is improved, but the package loses its function as a disposal unit for used products
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two functional sections: the first section allows peeling for product access, while the second section maintains attachment to preserve disposal functionality. This segmentation enables the package to serve dual purposes - easy opening for access and maintained integrity for proper disposal of used products.
Solution Approach 2:
The package is designed to be partially peelable rather than fully peelable. The first section of the perimeter band allows peeling to access the product, but the second section prevents complete separation. This partial peeling action provides sufficient access for product removal while maintaining enough structural integrity for the package to function as a disposal unit.
3Reliability
If a strong seal is used to ensure product protection, then reliability is improved, but ease of opening deteriorates especially for consumers with reduced hand strength
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented into zones with different strength characteristics. The first section of the perimeter band has lower peel force for easy opening by consumers with reduced hand strength, while the second section has higher peel force to ensure strong product protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the seal are assigned different local qualities in terms of peel force. The first section of the perimeter band is designed with quality suited for easy opening, while the second section has quality optimized for strong protection. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of opening and product protection.
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 packaging system provides ease of opening and assurance that the condom is not damaged during the opening process, allowing for secure storage and disposal of used products.
Implementation Method 1
a first multilayer film and a second multilayer film that are sealingly engaged one to another substantially only at a perimeter band
Implementation Method 2
at least a section of the perimeter band proximate to the first tab and the second tab is configured as a peel-apart seal such that the interior compartment containing the product is accessible by at least partially peeling apart the first multilayer film and the second multilayer film
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides packaged articles that can provide improved ease of access to the articles. More particularly, such packaged articles can comprise a plurality of multilayer films with a product contained therebetween. The multilayer films can be sealingly engaged one to another substantially only at a perimeter band that defines a closed, interior compartment in which the product is contained and which defines a tab section that is exterior to the perimeter band. At least a section of the perimeter band proximate to the tab section can be configured as a peel-apart seal such that the interior compartment containing the product is accessible by at least partially peeling apart the multilayer films. The disclosure further provides methods of packaging a product, such as a condom, and methods for improving ease of access to a packaged article, such as a condom.