Reclosable Confectionery Package With Scored Foldable Flap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing confectionery product packaging fails to efficiently and cost-effectively allow for the reclosure of partially used packages, requiring additional components like covers and adhesives, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A reclosable package assembly formed from a planar sheet scored and folded to create a foldable flap, using a combination of heat seals and repositionable cold seals, allowing for easy opening and resealing without the need for additional covers or adhesives, and can be made from materials like foil or paper.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cover and adhesive are used to create a reclosable package, then the package can be reclosed to retain remaining products, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereclosabilityVSAvoidpackage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the container and cover into a single integrated package structure formed from one continuous sheet of material. The sheet is folded to create both the container body and the cover with integral seals, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reclosability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single sheet material serves multiple functions: it forms the container walls, the lid, the seals, and the reclosable mechanism all in one piece. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional components like separate covers or adhesive applications, simplifying the overall package structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a cover and adhesive are used to create a reclosable package, then the package can be reclosed to retain remaining products, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereclosabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The package uses a single sheet of material that is inexpensive to manufacture and process. By forming the entire reclosable structure from one continuous sheet through folding and sealing, the design eliminates costly additional components and complex assembly processes, making the solution economically viable for consumer packaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If individual products are arranged in an array for easy dispensing, then product accessibility is improved, but the package cannot be effectively reclosed after partial use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct dispensingVSAvoidreclosure capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The package design allows individual products to be accessed and removed from the array while the remaining products stay contained. The integral seal and foldable cover structure enable the package to be opened for product removal and then reclosed to maintain containment, combining easy dispensing with effective reclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The package transitions between open and closed states through the foldable cover mechanism. The dynamic seal allows the package to adapt to partial removal of products while maintaining the ability to reclose and retain remaining products, providing both accessibility and containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient and cost-effective manufacturing by allowing multiple uses of the package, maintaining product freshness and reducing waste, while providing a convenient and economical solution for packaging small quantities of confectionery products.

Implementation Method 1

The package of the present invention may employ a flood coat heat seal to seal the folded sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat seal: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a combination of permanent and releaseable cold seals for the foldable flap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCold seal: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2391556B1Openable and reclosable sealed package for confectionery products

Publication Date: 2015.09.09 INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC

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AI summary

A reclosable consumer product package assembly (10) supports a plurality of consumable products (12). The product package retains and encloses the products, The package is formed from a planar sheet (16) folded about the products. The folded sheet (16) defines a portion overlying the products and an extending portion extending beyond the products to define a foldable flap (29). The sheet is scored at a location overlying at least a portion of the products. The foldable flap is folded over the scored location and adhesively secured thereto such that upon opening the flap, the scored location is removed from its overlying location to expose the products for dispensing. The flap is reeiosable over the exposed products.