Reclosable Package Closure With Peelable Lock-Up Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional package closures fail to provide a suitable hermetic and tamper-evident seal with high resistance to internal opening forces generated in heavier content packages, often leading to closure failure during filling or transportation.
Innovation Solution
A reclosable package design featuring a closure assembly with a sealing member that includes a peelable and lock-up seal configuration, where the sealing member is attached to fins on opposing panels, allowing for easy opening while maintaining structural integrity under elevated loads, and a slider mechanism for convenient access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fastener closure mechanism is used in large packages with heavy loads, then the package can be reclosed multiple times, but the closure fails under elevated internal forces during filling or transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assembly is divided into two distinct sealing mechanisms: a primary seal (peelable seal) and a secondary seal (lock-up seal). The primary seal provides initial sealing and can be easily opened by consumers, while the secondary seal provides enhanced strength to withstand elevated internal forces during filling and transportation. This segmentation allows each seal to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a single seal to perform all functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock-up seal is positioned and configured to engage before the package undergoes filling or rough handling during transportation. This secondary seal acts as a pre-established protective mechanism that cushions the closure assembly against the anticipated elevated internal forces that will be generated during subsequent handling and filling operations.
2Reliability
If a hermetic seal with high resistance to internal forces is implemented, then the seal integrity is improved, but the complexity of the closure assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assembly merges two sealing functions (peelable seal and lock-up seal) into a single integrated structure. Both seals are incorporated into the same closure assembly component that attaches to the package opening, allowing the consumer to benefit from both the easy-opening feature of the peelable seal and the high-strength protection of the lock-up seal without requiring separate closure mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the peelable seal provides easy consumer access and initial sealing, while the lock-up seal provides enhanced strength for withstanding internal forces during filling and transportation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate closure mechanisms for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Strength
If the closure assembly is designed to withstand elevated loads, then the durability is improved, but the force required by consumers to access contents increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the closure assembly have different mechanical properties optimized for their specific functions. The peelable seal portion is designed with lower strength characteristics to allow easy consumer opening, while the lock-up seal portion is designed with higher strength characteristics to withstand elevated internal forces. This local differentiation of material or structural properties allows the closure assembly to provide both easy consumer access and high durability without compromise.
Data Source
AI summary
A reclosable package comprises a first panel having first and second side sections and a second panel having first and second side sections. The first panel opposes the second panel and is joined to the second panel along the first and second side sections. A bottom extends between the first and second side sections of the first and second panels with the first and second panels joined to each other. A mouth is disposed opposite the bottom and extends between the first and second side sections of the first second panels. A closure member extends along the mouth, with the closure member including a first fin joined to the first panel and second fin joined to the second panel. A sealing member having a first and second ends is disposed proximate the mouth. The ends of the sealing member can be attached to the fin or panel such that at least one of the first end or second ends of the sealing member is attached with peelable seal.