Reusable Package Closure With Pull-Tab Resealing and Tamper Evidence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional flexible package closures, such as molded rigid plastic assemblies and flexible plastic lid-like flaps, face issues with maintaining a seal, adhering properly after multiple open-close cycles, and generating clutter or hazards, especially in wet wipes packaging.
Innovation Solution
A reusable closure system featuring a base and lid with hook and loop touch fasteners, a hinged pull-tab assembly, and a non-stick tab area, allowing secure opening and resealing with tamper-evident features and anti-peel mechanisms to prevent complete lid removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible plastic lid-like flap adhered to the bag is used, then the package can be opened and closed repeatedly, but the adhesive fails after multiple open-close cycles and the lid cannot be securely resealed
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate components: a rigid closure assembly with hinge and lid, and a flexible bag. The rigid closure maintains structural integrity while the flexible bag provides containment. This segmentation allows the closure to be reused without adhesive failure because the rigid components do not rely on adhesive bonds that degrade with repeated use.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adhering the lid to the bag (traditional approach), the invention inverts the relationship by having the rigid closure assembly engage with the bag through a hole opening. The closure is positioned over the hole opening and secured through mechanical engagement rather than adhesive bonding to the bag surface, eliminating the adhesive failure problem.
2Strength
If a molded rigid plastic assembly with hinged lid is used, then the closure provides structural support, but it creates clutter and potential hazards especially in wet wipes packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible bag made of thin film material to contain the product. The rigid closure assembly is minimized and designed to engage only where necessary (at the hole opening). This combination provides structural support where needed while minimizing overall rigidity, reducing clutter and potential hazards from large rigid components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of structural support from the entire closure assembly and concentrates it only at the hole opening area where mechanical engagement is needed. The rest of the package maintains flexibility, removing unnecessary rigid elements that create clutter and hazards.
3Ease of manufacture
If the closure is made flexible to match the bag, then it can be easily applied, but it cannot maintain a secure seal and allows product contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by making the closure rigid only at critical areas (the lid and hinge mechanism) while allowing the bag to remain flexible. The rigid closure components maintain seal integrity and prevent contamination, while the flexible bag provides ease of application and containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The package system uses composite construction combining a flexible bag material with a rigid closure assembly. This composite approach allows each component to perform its optimal function: the flexible bag for ease of application and containment, and the rigid closure for maintaining secure seal and preventing contamination.
4Reliability
If a rigid closure is used to maintain seal, then product freshness is preserved, but it cannot be easily opened and closed by consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a hinge mechanism that enables dynamic movement of the lid between open and closed positions. This dynamic feature allows easy opening and closing operations while the rigid closure components maintain seal integrity when closed, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for sealing and flexibility for operation.
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 closure system provides a secure, resealable, and tamper-evident solution that maintains product freshness and safety, reducing waste and hazards, while ensuring easy access and maintaining moisture integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the bond between the pull-tab assembly and a pre-cut package hole (frangible region) in the underlying package
Implementation Method 2
peeled back to its hinge while simultaneously breaking the bond between the pull-tab assembly and a pre-cut package hole (frangible region)
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable closure system is disclosed for packaging applications. The closure system generally includes a base and hinged lid. The base is bondable to a package and includes a field of touch fasteners having one or more cut-lines therein defining a hinged pull-tab assembly. The lid includes a complementary touch fastener field and can be placed in the open position to expose the pull-tab assembly, which can then be peeled back to open the package by virtue of the bond between the pull-tab assembly and a frangible region in the package. After opening, the pull-tab assembly can be stowed to the lid, so as to provide a lid-based plug corresponding to the package hole. Optional tamper-evident elements allow a consumer to see the package has not yet been opened. Stay-open lid and anti-peel mechanisms may also be provided. A dispensable roll/fanfold of the closures can feed a flow-wrap packaging process.