Reclosable Plastic Header on Rigid Carton for Delicate Product Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional packaging solutions, such as reclosable plastic bags and cardboard boxes, are inefficient for protecting crushable or delicate products during shipment, storage, and display, as they are heavy, require internal liners, and lack effective resealing capabilities, leading to increased costs and space inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A package design featuring a rigid or semi-rigid carton container made from paper or cardboard with a reclosable plastic or polymer header, typically with a zipper configuration, providing high capacity, space efficiency, and protection for delicate products while being lightweight and resealable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional cardboard boxes are used for packaging, then protection for crushable products is provided, but the packaging becomes heavy and requires internal liners, increasing manufacturing costs and reducing space efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection for crushable productsVSAvoidpackaging weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging combines a rigid cardboard container with a flexible plastic header section, creating a composite structure that leverages the protective qualities of cardboard while utilizing the lightweight and formable properties of plastic to reduce overall weight and eliminate the need for internal liners

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional cardboard boxes with tearable plastic liners are used, then packaging is provided, but reclosable capabilities are lost and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidreclosable capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the rigid container body with an integrated reclosable header made of flexible material, combining the protective function of cardboard with the reclosable functionality of plastic in a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate tearable liners and improving both manufacturability and operability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If reclosable plastic bags are used for packaging, then reclosable capability is provided, but protection for crushable or delicate products during shipment is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereclosable capabilityVSAvoidprotection for crushable products
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a rigid lower portion (cardboard container) that provides structural strength and crush protection, and a flexible upper portion (plastic header) that provides reclosable capability, allowing each material to optimize its specific function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If traditional packaging with internal liners is used, then protection is provided, but space efficiency in storage and transportation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection for productsVSAvoidstorage space efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible plastic header acts as a thin-film structure that provides necessary protection and sealing functionality without the bulk and volume consumption of traditional internal liners, allowing the package to be filled completely and stored more efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3241777B1Carton with plastic reclosable header
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3241777B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3241777B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP3241777B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The disclosure relates a package (10) with a rigid or semi-rigid container and a polymeric or plastic header (18) with a reclosure (24), such as a zipper. The rigid or semi-rigid container is typically provided in a stack of flat containers. The header is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the containers. The container, typically inverted, is filled, and the bottom is formed by folding and sealing the bottom portion of the container.