Pull Tab Sealed Packet with Frangible Seal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealed disposable pouches are difficult for children and the elderly to open, often resulting in uncontrolled release of contents due to the need for high manual dexterity and can burst unintentionally during handling or storage.
Innovation Solution
A novel packet design featuring opposed material layers with a sealed cavity, a flap that can be easily grasped and peeled away to expose an exit structure, and a baffle structure to control fluid flow, using heat-sealable thermoplastic materials with selectively frangible seals to ensure easy opening and controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional packets are designed to be torn or separated along a defined location, then the packet can be opened, but it requires a relatively high degree of manual dexterity and can be difficult for children and the elderly
Solution Approach 1:
The opening mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: a frangible seal portion that breaks easily, a pull tab for grasping, and a sealed portion that maintains integrity. This segmentation allows the complex opening action to be simplified into a straightforward pull motion that even children and elderly users can perform easily.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull tab acts as an intermediary element between the user's hand and the packet contents. It provides a convenient grasping point that translates a simple pulling motion into the force needed to break the frangible seal, eliminating the need for users to directly manipulate the seal or tear the packet material.
2Ease of operation
If conventional packets are designed to be torn or separated, then the packet can be opened, but the tearing action often results in a sudden and uncontrolled release of the packet contents
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented into a frangible portion designed to break in a controlled manner and a sealed portion that maintains integrity until activation. This segmentation allows the opening process to proceed in a controlled sequence: the frangible seal breaks first to create an opening, while the sealed portion continues to contain contents until the user intentionally dispenses them.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic controlled-breaking state. The frangible seal portion is designed with specific mechanical properties that allow it to break predictably under controlled force, preventing sudden uncontrolled release while still enabling easy opening by users with limited dexterity.
3Ease of operation
If packets are designed to burst along a frangible seam when pressure is applied, then opening is simplified, but they burst under sufficient pressure regardless of whether that pressure is applied intentionally or unintentionally during handling, shipping, or storage
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the seal have different mechanical properties: the frangible seal portion is designed to break under relatively low controlled force, while the sealed portion maintains high integrity to resist premature bursting during handling and shipping. This local differentiation of material properties allows the packet to respond differently to intentional opening actions versus unintentional handling forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible seal is pre-configured with a specific break point and mechanical weakness that activates only under controlled pulling force applied to the tab. This preliminary design ensures that the seal will not burst prematurely during normal handling, as the frangible portion requires a specific pulling action to activate, distinguishing intentional opening from unintentional pressure application.
4Reliability
If the entire applicator is folded to isolate the rupturable portion, then premature bursting is prevented, but additional folding steps and packaging considerations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented into frangible and sealed portions that remain in their functional positions without requiring folding. The frangible portion is positioned to break along a controlled path when the tab is pulled, while the sealed portion maintains integrity. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex folding structures to isolate the rupturable portion, simplifying both the device design and packaging requirements.
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 packet is easy to manufacture, maintains structural integrity during storage, and allows for simple, controlled dispensing of fluid compositions without bursting during normal handling, suitable for various applications including medical and food service uses.
Implementation Method 1
opposed packet material layers heat sealed together along a perimeter seal
Data Source
AI summary
A pull activated packet for storing and dispensing any manner of fluid composition includes opposed first and second material layers defining a sealed cavity between the opposed layers. The fluid composition is contained within the cavity. Exit structure is defined in the first material layer through which the composition exits the cavity in use of the packet. A flap is defined by a portion of the opposed layers and is folded at a first fold line so as to extend over and releasably seal to the first material layer over the exit structure. To open the packet, the flap or an extension of the flap is pulled by the user causing the flap to peel away from the first material layer and unseal from over the exit structure. The fluid composition is dispensed from the exit structure upon pressure being applied to the packet.