Polyethylene Spouted Pouch Sealing for Easy Opening and Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standing pouches made from single-material polyethylene films are difficult to open and recycle due to their inherent properties, which hinder quick and easy refilling and recycling.
Innovation Solution
A packaging bag with a spout is created using a polyethylene film, where the spout member is a polyethylene molded body with a base portion and a spout tube portion, and a method involving heating the base portion to attach it to the container main body using a mold, allowing for easy opening and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a lamination film with multiple raw materials is used for the container main body, then various functions such as barrier properties and strength are improved, but the recyclability deteriorates because it takes time and effort to separate the raw materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using a single raw material (polyethylene) for both the container main body and the spout member. This eliminates the need to separate different materials for recycling, while still achieving the required functional properties through proper material selection and design. The spout member is made from the same polyethylene resin as the container, creating a homogeneous single-material structure that is easily recyclable.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single raw material polyethylene film is used for the container main body, then recyclability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because it is difficult to cut and open by hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific structural design of the spout member with a base portion and a spout tube portion. The base portion is designed to be detachable from the container main body, creating a localized opening mechanism. This allows the single-material polyethylene structure to be easily opened by hand without compromising the overall recyclability, as the opening function is achieved through structural design rather than material differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout member is segmented into a base portion and a spout tube portion, allowing the base portion to be detached from the container main body. This segmentation creates an easy-to-open mechanism while maintaining the single-material polyethylene construction, resolving the contradiction between ease of opening and recyclability.
3Ease of operation
If the spout member is made from a different material than the container main body, then the ease of operation is improved for opening, but the recyclability deteriorates due to multiple materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making both the container main body and the spout member from the same polyethylene material. The ease of opening is achieved not through material differentiation but through the structural design of the spout member with its detachable base portion. This homogeneous material approach ensures full recyclability while the structural design maintains operational ease.
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 solution enables easy opening and recycling of the packaging bag with a spout, utilizing a single raw material polyethylene film, facilitating quick refilling and reducing recycling challenges.
Implementation Method 1
heating only a surface of the base portion in a circumferential direction to a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of the polyethylene by bringing a heated mold into contact with a side surface of the base portion
Implementation Method 2
heating only a surface of the base portion in a circumferential direction to a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of the polyethylene
Implementation Method 3
a step of heat sealing using a mold by inserting the heated base portion into the container main body
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging bag with a spout including a container main body accommodating a content, and a spout member for pouring out the content inside the container main body. The spout member has a base portion attached to the container main body, and a spout tube portion having a flow channel through which the content is poured out formed therein. The container main body is made using a polyethylene film. The spout member is a polyethylene molded body.