Pouch Corner Seal Geometry for Impact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collapsible pouches in pressurized dispensing systems face stress and failure at the triple point gusset weld due to the weight of the fluent product, especially under impact loads, leading to a need for enhanced strength and robustness.
Innovation Solution
The package features corner seals with a specific geometry, including a first edge seal, a transition segment, and an angled linear segment extending at an acute angle, which reduces stress and distributes it along the seal portions, enhancing the pouch's strength and resistance to rupture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional pouch construction with simple corner seals is used, then manufacturing cost and material usage are reduced, but the pouch fails under impact loads due to stress concentration at the triple point gusset weld
Solution Approach 1:
The corner seal incorporates a curved transition segment that replaces the conventional sharp corner geometry. This curved path distributes stress more evenly through the seal, preventing stress concentration at the triple point gusset weld while maintaining structural integrity under impact loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner seal is divided into three distinct segments: a first edge seal portion, a curved transition segment, and a second edge seal portion. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, with the transition segment specifically designed to manage stress distribution.
2Reliability
If thicker, more robust materials are used to prevent pouch failure, then reliability under impact loads is improved, but package weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The improved corner seal geometry provides localized reinforcement at the critical triple point gusset weld area through its stress-distributing design. This allows the pouch to use thinner, lighter materials in non-critical areas while maintaining high reliability at the stress concentration point, optimizing the overall weight-strength ratio.
3Strength
If multiple laminate layers are used to increase pouch strength, then resistance to rupture is improved, but material compatibility issues increase and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the corner seal itself rather than increasing laminate layers. By modifying the seal path to include a curved transition segment, the structure achieves enhanced rupture resistance through improved stress distribution, avoiding the need for complex multi-layer laminates and their associated compatibility issues.
Data Source
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AI summary
A package (52) is provided for containing and dispensing a fluent product. The package (52) defines a longitudinal axis (23), and includes a fitment body (18), and a collapsible pouch (12) for containing a fluent product to be dispensed, the pouch (12) defined by at least two opposing, flexible, web portions (24), and gusset portion (42). The fitment body (18) extends from a dispensing end (33) of the pouch (12) with the fitment body (18) being sandwiched between the flexible web portions (24), and the flexible web portions (24) being welded to each other and to the fitment body (18) at an end seal (32). An improved, robust corner seal construction (54) is provided where each of the flexible web portions (24) is joined to the gusset portion (42).