Stand-up Pouch with Integrated Handle and Spout for Liquid Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stand-up pouches with heat-sealable plastic films for liquid contents are difficult to handle when pouring due to their flexible nature and changing shape, making metered dispensing of free-flowing products challenging, especially as container size increases.
Innovation Solution
A film carrying handle is integrated approximately in the middle of the rear wall, which can be designed as a pouring spout with a screw cap for secure gripping and precise dosing, ensuring the closure device remains at the lowest point during pouring, and can be folded back for space-saving disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a stand-up pouch is made from flexible heat-sealable plastic film, then weight is reduced and space-saving transport is achieved, but handling during pouring becomes difficult due to flexible walls and changing shape
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch is segmented into functional zones: a rigid base portion providing stability and gripping surface, a flexible body portion for containment, and a spout portion for controlled dispensing. This segmentation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function while resolving the contradiction between flexibility and handleability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the pouch have different mechanical properties: the base portion is made rigid or semi-rigid to provide stable gripping and support, while the body remains flexible for collapse during emptying. This local differentiation of material properties enables both space-saving flexibility and stable handling.
2Volume of stationary object
If the pouch walls are made flexible to enable folding and space-saving disposal, then transport efficiency improves, but metered filling removal requires skill and is difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing function is separated from the storage function by providing a dedicated spout portion with flow control features. This allows the main body to be flexible for compact storage while the spout provides controlled metered dispensing independent of the body's flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout acts as an intermediary between the flexible pouch body and the user, providing a rigid or semi-rigid interface for controlled dispensing. The spout's structure mediates between the flexible container and the requirement for precise metered removal.
3Quantity of substance
If the pouch size is increased to provide larger capacity, then more product can be contained, but handling and pouring control become progressively more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch is divided into a large-capacity body portion and a separate spout portion for dispensing control. This allows the capacity to be increased in the body while the spout maintains manageable dimensions for control, decoupling capacity from handling difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout extends the pouch functionality into a new dimensional space, providing a rigid or semi-rigid interface that protrudes from the flexible body. This dimensional extension allows large-capacity flexible pouches to have controlled dispensing interfaces comparable to rigid containers.
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 handle allows for secure one-handed handling and unproblematic emptying of residues, enabling metered dispensing and maintaining space-saving transport and storage capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a stand-up pouch made of a heat-sealable plastic film with a front wall and a rear wall which are connected by sealed seams along their longitudinal edges
Implementation Method 2
the closure device necessarily lies at the lowest point. This allows metered product dispensing and unproblematic emptying of residues
Data Source
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AI summary
The bag has a front wall and a rear wall (2) that are connected at longitudinal edges (3) by sealing seams (4). The front wall and an inwardly folded foil cover (6) are connected by transverse seal seams (7). A closure unit (8) e.g. pouring element, is arranged in a connection region between the front wall and the foil cover. The closure unit is connected with adjacent surfaces of the foil cover and the front wall in a liquid-tight manner. A foil carrying handle (9) is fastened at the rear wall and/or at an inwardly folded foil base, where the bag is made of heat sealable plastic film. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a stand up bag.