Pouch Zipper Sealing With Asymmetric Aperture and Separating Sheet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pouch designs often result in contents adhering to the male and female parts of the zipper, making it difficult for users to visually recognize and preventing the contents from adhering to these parts during filling and handling, especially when handling large quantities or high-speed feeding processes.

Innovation Solution

A pouch design featuring a bag body with a zipper and a closing sheet that includes a weakened part to break when unsealing, separating the male and female parts from the accommodation space, and a second aperture positioned not to face the first aperture to reduce the force on the weakened part during filling, thus minimizing the likelihood of contents adhering to the zipper parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single sheet with a bent portion is used to separate the male and female parts of the zipper from the accommodation space, then the contents are prevented from adhering to the zipper parts, but the bent portion is thin and may break when receiving large amounts of contents or during high-speed filling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of contents adhesion to zipperVSAvoidstrength of the separating sheet
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The separating sheet is divided into multiple sheets instead of using a single thick sheet. Each sheet has a specific thickness, and multiple sheets stacked together provide both the necessary strength to withstand filling forces and maintain the function of preventing contents adhesion to the zipper parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the separating sheet structure have different thicknesses. The sheets are configured with specific thickness distributions to provide adequate strength at critical locations while maintaining flexibility and the ability to prevent contents adhesion where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the second aperture is positioned to face the first aperture, then the filling process is simplified, but the force applied to the weakened part during filling increases, causing the part to break before the zipper is opened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling process simplicityVSAvoidintegrity of the weakened part
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second aperture is deliberately positioned asymmetrically so that it does not face the first aperture. This asymmetric arrangement reduces the direct force applied to the weakened part during the filling process, preventing premature breakage while still allowing the filling operation to proceed efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The apertures are positioned at different angular orientations around the pouch body rather than being aligned in the same direction. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions distributes the filling forces more evenly, reducing concentration of force on the weakened part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the weakened part is designed to break easily, then the zipper can be opened by breaking the sheet, but the part may break during the filling process before the zipper is opened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening the pouchVSAvoidpremature breakage during filling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The separating structure transitions from a static single sheet to a dynamic multi-sheet configuration where the sheets can interact during the opening process. The multiple sheets are arranged to separate from each other in a controlled sequence, allowing the zipper to be opened by breaking the sheets while preventing premature breakage during filling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-sheet structure provides a cushioning effect during the opening process. The sheets are designed to break in a controlled manner, with the multiple layers absorbing and distributing the breaking forces, preventing sudden or premature breakage during filling while still allowing easy opening when intended.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3321206B1Pouch and contents-sealing pouch
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3321206B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3321206B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3321206B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A pouch includes a bag body, a zipper, and a closing sheet. The bag body includes an accommodation space that can accommodate contents, a first aperture for opening the accommodation space, and a second aperture formed so as not to face the first aperture, for opening the accommodation space. The zipper is attached to the bag body, and unseals and seals the first aperture. The zipper includes a male part and a female part. The closing sheet is attached to the bag body so as to separate the male part and the female part of the zipper from the accommodation space. The closing sheet includes a weakened part that can be broken when unsealing of the zipper.