Pouch Expander Device with Convertible Flaps for Hygienic Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging solutions for consumer products like food and cosmetics fail to maintain hygiene, safety, and product integrity after opening, leading to contamination risks and inefficient use, while also contributing to ecological waste due to single-use closing materials.

Innovation Solution

An expander device with a ring member and convertible flaps that keeps a pouch opening open, allowing for easy access and dosing while maintaining hygiene and reducing waste by being reusable and easy to clean.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the packaging is opened to access the product, then the product is accessible for use, but the hygiene and product integrity are compromised due to exposure to contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveProduct accessibilityVSAvoidContamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system is segmented into the pouch containing the product and a separate storage box for the opening means. This segmentation allows the opening means to be removed and stored hygienically after use, preventing contamination of the product while maintaining accessibility during use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A dosing device is introduced as an intermediary between the user and the product. The dosing device contacts only the dispensed portion of the product, not the bulk product in the pouch, thereby preventing direct contamination while enabling accurate dosing and maintaining product integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the product is emptied into a storage box for later use, then the product is easily accessible and can be dosed accurately, but the risk of contamination from substances or microorganisms in the storage box increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDosing accuracyVSAvoidProduct contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing device serves as a hygienic intermediary that transfers product from the sealed pouch to the user without contacting the storage box interior. This eliminates the contamination risk associated with storage boxes while maintaining dosing accuracy through the controlled dispensing mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The opening means and dosing device are extracted from the storage box concept and integrated directly with the pouch system. This allows the dosing function to be performed at the point of use without requiring a separate storage container that could harbor contaminants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If rubber bands, clips or adhesive tape are used to close the packaging, then the opening can be kept closed to maintain hygiene, but these materials are difficult to recycle and contribute to ecological footprint

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHygiene maintenanceVSAvoidEcological impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The opening means is designed as a single-use, disposable component that is integrated into the pouch sealing system. After use, the entire pouch with the opening means can be disposed of together, eliminating the need to recycle separate closing materials and reducing ecological impact while maintaining hygiene during storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If fingers or spoon handles are inserted to widen the opening for product retrieval, then the opening is made accessible for dosing, but the risk of contaminating the product increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOpening accessibilityVSAvoidProduct contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing device is designed with a handle that serves as a hygienic intermediary for manipulating the opening. The handle allows the user to widen and manipulate the opening without fingers or spoon handles contacting the product, thereby maintaining accessibility while preventing contamination through the intermediary barrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240317462A1Expander device for keeping an opening in food packaging open

Publication Date: 2024.09.26 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

The invention relates to an expander device (100) for keeping a pouch opening (410) of a pouch (400) open. The expander device (100) comprises a ring member (120), by which a central opening (110) is surrounded. The ring member (120) comprises at least one flap (150) that is convertible between an expanded position and a collapsed position. In the expanded position, the flap (150) extends from the ring member (120) on one side (111) of the central opening (110) to keep clear of the central opening (110) for allowing to bring the ring member (120) into alignment with a circumferential rim section (411) of the pouch opening (410). In the collapsed position, the flap (150) extends from the ring member (120) into or through the central opening (110) so that a fitment section (151) of the flap (150) faces laterally outside with respect to the central opening (110) to be fitted against an inner side surface (412) of the rim section (411) to keep the pouch opening (410) open. The invention further relates to a package system (200) comprising the expander device (100) and a pouch (400) carrying a food product, and to a method for use of said package system (200).