Pivoting Integral Cutting Tool for Safe Opening and Zip-Lock Reclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging solutions for containers like bags and sacks fail to efficiently and effectively re-seal after opening, leading to product freshness issues and reduced shelf-life, especially for bulk quantities like pet food and compost.
Innovation Solution
A self-adhesive opening and reclosing device with an integral cutting tool and zip-locking mechanism that creates a defined opening and allows for secure re-closure, featuring a pivotally connected cutting tool that can be deployed and stowed safely within a slider mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a cutting blade is used to create an opening in the container, then the opening can be created in a prescribed manner, but the blade may drag against the material causing it to bunch up and crease rather than be cut
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool is divided into multiple segments or sections along its length, allowing each segment to move independently or with different degrees of freedom. This segmentation enables the blade to follow the material contour more closely without dragging, preventing bunching and creasing while maintaining precise opening creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting blade is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to flex, pivot, or adjust its angle during the cutting process. This dynamic behavior enables the blade to maintain optimal cutting angle and pressure distribution, preventing material deformation while creating precise openings in containers of varying thickness and material properties.
2Ease of operation
If an integral cutting tool is provided on the container, then opening can be achieved, but the blade may pose safety risks when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade is nested within a protective housing or recess in the container structure when not in use. The blade can be deployed outward or rotated into position when opening is needed, and automatically retracts or is covered when the opening operation is complete, eliminating safety risks while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting tool is designed with dynamic deployment and retraction mechanisms, allowing the blade to move between a protected stored position and an active cutting position. This dynamic design ensures the blade is only exposed when needed for opening, eliminating safety hazards during storage and transport while maintaining user-friendly operation.
3Reliability
If auxiliary fasteners such as sticking tape and clamps are used to hold the bag closed after use, then re-sealing can be achieved, but these are separate components that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool and reclosing mechanism are merged into a single integrated device attached to the container. The cutting tool creates the opening while the reclosing mechanism (such as a zipper, clip, or adhesive strip) is built into the same device, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary fasteners and simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliable re-sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions: creating the initial opening, allowing access to contents, and providing reclosing capability. By combining cutting, opening, and reclosing functions into one universal device, the patent eliminates the need for multiple separate components while ensuring reliable re-sealing of the container.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the invention relate to a new opening and reclosing device for a container, the opening and reclosing device comprising: an affixing means for affixing the opening and reclosing device to a container; an integral cutting tool (130, 230, 330) for creating an opening in the container in a prescribed manner; and a zip-locking mechanism for re-closing the created opening, the zip-locking mechanism comprising a slider (126, 226, 326), the integral cutting tool comprising: a blade tip (154, 254, 354) at a first end thereof, a thumb tab (128, 228, 328) at a second end thereof; and a coupling means (152/146a, 146b ; 252/246; 352/346) provided between the first and second ends, which coupling means (152/146a, 146b; 252/246; 352/346) provides for pivotal connection of the integral cutting tool to the slider, such that the integral cutting tool is pivotally moveable between: a first deployed position wherein the blade tip protrudes out of the slider for cutting an opening in a container; and a second stowed position.