Viscous Product Packaging with Pouch Skirt Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for packaging viscous substances that rely on manual pumping are prone to pollution from liquids or powders entering the outer container, often have a large orifice that allows sand or grains to pass through, and require a separate valve that can be difficult to install and is aesthetically unappealing.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring an elastically deformable outer container with air-admission orifices in an annular zone covered by a flexible pouch skirt, which acts as a valve to prevent pollution and eliminate the need for a separate valve, allowing for effective manual pumping while maintaining the integrity and appearance of the packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a large orifice is used in the outer container, then manual pumping operation is facilitated, but liquids or powders can penetrate into the outer container causing pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual pumping operationVSAvoidpollution from liquids or powders

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch skirt acts as an intermediary element between the orifice and the external environment. It allows air to pass through during manual pumping while blocking liquids and powders. The skirt is positioned to cover the orifice when the pouch is in its normal state, but can be lifted or displaced during the pumping action to allow air admission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pouch skirt is made of flexible material that can deform during manual pumping operations. This flexibility allows it to adapt to the pumping motion, opening to allow air admission when needed while maintaining its blocking function against contaminants when the pouch is at rest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate valve is installed to prevent pollution, then pollution is prevented, but the device complexity increases and the valve may be difficult to install or retain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollution preventionVSAvoidseparate valve installation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve function is merged with the pouch structure itself. The pouch skirt, which is an integral part of the pouch, performs the valve function by covering the orifice. This eliminates the need for a separate valve component and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining pollution prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pouch skirt serves multiple functions: it forms the lower part of the pouch structure, provides the valve function by covering the orifice, and maintains the structural integrity of the pouch. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate valve is used, then pollution is prevented, but the mechanical retention may fail and the valve may be difficult to put into place

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollution preventionVSAvoidmechanical retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If an orifice is made accessible from the outside for finger closing, then manual pumping is enabled, but the orifice appears ugly and is perceived as a zone of vulnerability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual pumpingVSAvoidappearance and vulnerability perception

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch skirt acts as an intermediary element that covers the orifice when not in use, hiding it from external view and eliminating the aesthetic defect. During manual pumping, the user can access the orifice through the flexible material of the skirt, which allows controlled opening without exposing the orifice permanently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively prevents pollution and enhances the appearance of the device by using the pouch skirt as a valve, ensuring reliable operation and reduced risk of contamination, while allowing for flexible filling and sealing procedures that maintain the packaging's integrity and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible inner pouch of generally cylindrical shape... said pouch being fastened inside said outer container... said skirt constitutes a valve ensuring that said series of orifices is closed in the event of manual squeezing being applied on the outer container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an elastically deformable outer container of generally cylindrical shape... In order to ensure that the pouch is put under pressure for the purpose of dispensing the substance, the operator manually squeezes the outer container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9828142B2Device for packaging a viscous product, and method of implementing same

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 PUMPART SYST SAS

AI summary

The outer container 1 presents a series of air-admission orifices in a zone 6. The skirt 12 of the inner pouch 8, between its line 11 of fastening to the outer container 1 and its open end 10, constitutes a valve for closing the series of orifices in the event of manual squeezing being applied on the outer container 1.