Reclosable Pouch Closure Mechanism with Interlocking Profiles and Sealing Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current resealable pouch closure mechanisms often fail to provide a strong and secure airtight seal, especially when maintaining a vacuum for extended periods, and lack innovative designs to enhance sealing efficiency and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
The proposed airtight closure mechanism employs first and second complementary closure elements with interlocking profiles and sealing sections, featuring protuberances and a sealing flange that form an airtight seal when occluded, along with an optional one-way valve for air management, utilizing thermoplastic materials and extrusion methods for robust construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional resealable closure mechanisms are used, then the pouch can be opened and closed, but the seal strength and airtightness deteriorate over time and cannot maintain vacuum for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is divided into multiple interlocking profiles (first profile and second profile) that work together to create a secure seal. The sealing section includes multiple protuberances (first and second protuberances) with distal surfaces that create multiple contact points, segmenting the sealing function to enhance overall seal strength and durability over time
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism employs asymmetrical design elements including the specific configuration of protuberances with distal surfaces positioned at different locations, and the interlocking profiles have non-symmetrical geometries that ensure proper alignment and enhanced sealing pressure distribution, preventing seal degradation during extended vacuum storage
2Reliability
If multiple pairs of interlocking profiles are used to strengthen the seal, then seal security improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the interlocking profile structure itself. The first and second profiles are integrated with sealing sections that include protuberances with distal surfaces, combining the mechanical interlocking function with the sealing function in a single unified structure, thereby achieving strong seals without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking profiles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical interlocking to keep the closure elements engaged, provide structural support, and include integrated sealing sections with protuberances that create the airtight seal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sealing components, maintaining relative simplicity while ensuring secure sealing
3Reliability
If a frangible diaphragm is used to restrain the male profile, then the closure remains sealed until force is applied, but the ease of operation decreases as users must apply predetermined force to fracture the diaphragm
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible diaphragm is pre-positioned across the jaws of the female profile to restrain the male profile before use. This preliminary restraining action ensures that the closure remains securely sealed during normal handling and storage, preventing accidental opening while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm is designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters that allow it to withstand normal operational forces while fracturing when a predetermined threshold force is applied. This parameter optimization balances seal integrity during storage with ease of opening when needed, as users can deliberately apply sufficient force to break the diaphragm and open the closure
Data Source
AI summary
An airtight closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch includes first and second complementary closure elements, the first closure element comprising a first interlocking profile and the second closure element comprising a complementary second interlocking profile. First and second sealing sections are disposed on respective complementary sides of the first and second interlocking profiles. The first sealing section includes a first protuberance having a first distal surface, a second protuberance having a second distal surface, and a sealing flange attached to and extending between the first and second distal surfaces of the first and second protuberances, respectively. The second sealing section includes a sealing member disposed on a base of the second closure element. The sealing member is located a distance from the second interlocking profile that places a distal surface thereof between the first and second protuberances when the first and second interlocking profiles are occluded. Additionally, when the first and second interlocking profiles are occluded, the distal surface urges against the sealing flange to form an airtight seal therebetween.