Perforated Shrink Wrap Sleeve for Irregular Containers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shrink wrap packaging struggles with application, removal, and distortion on irregularly shaped containers, failing to provide easy access and tamper evidence effectively.

Innovation Solution

Perforated shrink wrap sleeves with axially oriented perforations and a circumferential ring, allowing for easy partial removal and maintaining exposure of top and bottom surfaces, along with optional adhesive and printed indicia, are designed to accommodate containers with circumference variations, using materials like PETG with specific shrinkage ratios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heat-shrinkable films are applied to irregularly shaped containers, then sealing and labeling functions are achieved, but application difficulty, removal difficulty, and printed matter distortion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidapplication and removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shrink wrap sleeve is divided into multiple segments by transverse perforations, allowing the sleeve to be easily removed in sections. This segmentation enables consumers to peel away the wrap without excessive force while maintaining secure sealing when intact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve incorporates localized features including transverse perforation zones for easy removal, axially oriented perforations for tamper evidence, and adhesive application zones. Each region has differentiated properties optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If heat-shrinkable films are applied to irregularly shaped containers, then sealing function is achieved, but printed matter distortion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidprinted matter distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve incorporates circumferential expansion zones with varying shrinkage characteristics that accommodate container shape variations. These zones are strategically positioned to maintain print integrity in critical areas while allowing controlled expansion in regions requiring accommodation of circumference variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve design incorporates curved and flexible regions that can accommodate irregular container shapes without creating excessive tension or distortion on printed surfaces. The circumferential perforation rings and expansion zones allow the material to conform to three-dimensional container geometries while maintaining print quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If perforations are added for easy removal, then ease of operation improves, but structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval easeVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Transverse perforations divide the sleeve into removable segments while axially oriented perforations create tamper-evident features. The perforation pattern is designed so that removal requires breaking through predefined weak points, maintaining overall structural integrity until intentional opening occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The perforations are pre-formed during manufacturing to create controlled weak points that guide the removal process. This preliminary action ensures that the sleeve can be easily opened along predetermined paths without compromising the integrity of the sealing function until opening is initiated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables easy and cost-efficient access to container contents while providing tamper evidence and maintaining product labeling integrity, even on irregularly shaped containers, with the perforations allowing visual indication of opening and the material withstanding multiple flexes.

Implementation Method 1

materials like PETG with specific shrinkage ratios

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat shrinkage: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP2605977B1Container with perforated shrink wrap sleeve

Publication Date: 2017.05.10 KRAFT FOODS GROUP BRANDS LLC

Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5

AI summary

A container (10) having a container body that can have a circumference/perimeter variation along a vertical axis, a bottom surface (12), and a container opening having a top surface (14), an axially oriented shrink wrap sleeve (30) covering a portion of the body of the container (10) having a circumference variation and the container opening, a top edge (22) of the shrink wrap sleeve (30) allowing the top surface (14) to remain exposed, and bottom edge (20) of the shrink wrap sleeve (30) allowing the bottom surface (12) to remain exposed; the shrink wrap sleeve (30) having a pair of generally vertical perforations (32) descending from the shrink wrap top edge (22) towards a circumferential perforation ring (34) oriented below the container opening. In some embodiments, the axially oriented shrink wrap sleeve (30) covering a portion of the container body circumference variation has a greater circumference at at least one point between the shrink wrap top (22) (or alternately shrink wrap circumferential perforation ring) and bottom edges (20).