Purge Trap Packaging Design for Fluid Leakage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food product packaging often experiences leakage of fluids due to insecure film wrapping, compromised shapes, or contours that guide fluids out of the package, leading to contamination and consumer dissatisfaction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a purge trap with a flange and sealing edge positioned inward of the side walls to guide fluids back into the package, along with a channel to retain and redirect fluids, minimizing leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a film wrap is used to seal the food product package, then the package can contain and protect the food item, but fluids may leak through insecure film wrapping or compromised shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid containment reliabilityVSAvoidfluid leakage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal lip acts as an intermediary element between the film wrap and the package interior. It provides a dedicated sealing interface that enhances the reliability of fluid containment by creating a mechanical barrier that the film wrap can reliably engage with, preventing direct contact between leaking fluids and the package exterior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing the film wrap to directly seal the package opening, the invention inverts the sealing approach by positioning the seal lip inward to actively redirect fluids back into the package. This inversion transforms the sealing mechanism from a passive barrier to an active fluid management system that prevents leakage through geometric design rather than relying solely on film integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the package has a simple shape for easy manufacturing, then production is efficient, but the shape may compromise film wrapping security or guide fluids outward

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage shape simplicityVSAvoidfilm wrapping security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The package structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the main package body for containment, the seal lip region for active fluid management, and the flange for film wrap engagement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency, as the seal lip can be integrated as a simple molded feature rather than a complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal lip introduces localized geometric complexity only where fluid management is critical, while the rest of the package maintains a simple, easy-to-manufacture shape. This local quality approach ensures that film wrapping security is enhanced at the sealing interface without requiring complex modifications to the entire package structure, thereby maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the seal lip is positioned at the uppermost location for optimal sealing, then fluid containment is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidflange and seal lip structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal lip and flange are merged into a single integrated structural feature rather than separate components. This merging allows the seal lip to be positioned at the uppermost location for optimal sealing effectiveness while avoiding additional structural complexity, as the seal lip is formed as an inherent part of the flange geometry during the molding process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20230069086A1Food product packaging with purge trap

Publication Date: 2023.03.02 HILLSHIRE BRANDS CO

AI summary

A package for retaining a food item includes a base and at least one side wall extending away from the base and terminating at a flange. The flange includes a sealing edge configured to contact a film wrap. The sealing edge is positioned inward of at least a portion of the side wall to guide fluids toward an interior volume of the package.