Reclosable Pouch Spout with Retainer Bridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical form/fill/seal packaging systems face challenges in efficiently dispensing and reclosing flowable products, often resulting in spills and leakage due to the lack of a reliable closure mechanism for partially used packages.
Innovation Solution
A pouch with an integrated reclosable spout and spout retainer, where the spout is formed by a contour of the pouch seal and secured with a separable perforation, allowing it to be folded under bridges on the exterior surface for secure closure, is developed. The spout retainer is designed to be flexible and extend beyond the pouch, enabling easy dispensing and re-closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional VFFS package is used without an integrated spout, then the package structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but product dispensing is difficult and prone to spills
Solution Approach 1:
The spout is integrated directly into the package structure by forming it from the sealed film material during the VFFS process. The spout is created as an extension of the package body through sealing operations that shape the film material, merging the dispensing function with the package structure itself rather than adding a separate component.
Solution Approach 2:
The package structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the main package body containing the product, the integrated spout for controlled dispensing, and the recloseable opening for sealing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity through the flexible film material.
2Reliability
If no reclosure mechanism is provided, then the package structure remains simple, but leakage occurs when storing partially used packages
Solution Approach 1:
The reclosure mechanism uses the package's own flexible film material and integrated spout to create a self-sealing system. The spout can be folded back and tucked into the package interior, using the package's own structure to secure itself without requiring external clips, ties, or separate closure components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout is designed to be nested within the package body when not in use. The flexible spout material is folded back and inserted into the package interior, where it is contained within the package volume. This nesting approach secures the spout in a closed position without adding external closure elements.
3Reliability
If clips or ties are used to close the package, then reclosure is possible, but leakage frequently occurs during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The closure function is merged with the package structure itself through the integrated spout design. The spout and reclosure mechanism are formed from the same film material during the VFFS process, eliminating the need for separate closure components like clips or ties that would require additional manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The package uses its own flexible film material and integrated spout structure to create and maintain the seal. The spout is folded and tucked into the package interior, using the package's own structure to secure itself, providing a reliable closure without external aids.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the spout is made rigid for structural stability, then the spout maintains its shape, but it cannot be folded under bridges for reclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The spout is constructed from flexible film material that maintains its structural integrity while allowing bending and folding. The thin film structure provides sufficient rigidity to define the spout shape for dispensing, yet remains flexible enough to be folded under the bridges and tucked into the package for reclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout transitions between different states: it maintains a stable, defined shape during the dispensing operation, then becomes flexible for folding and reclosure. This dynamic behavior allows the same structure to serve both functional requirements of shape maintenance and operational flexibility.
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 solution provides a convenient and leak-proof method for dispensing and re-closing flowable products, reducing spills and storage issues by allowing the spout to be easily tucked under bridges on the pouch, ensuring the product remains usable and preventing leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a spout retainer formed from a single piece of material and having two bridges that define an opening therebetween, the spout being flexible and extending beyond other portions of the pouch so that it is foldable under the two bridges
Implementation Method 2
a distal end of the spout secured to the pouch by a separable perforation
Implementation Method 3
the creation of a transverse heat seal occurs at one stage in the process, and then, downstream of the first stage, a separate pair of cooling/clamping means contact the just-formed transverse heat seal to cool and thus strengthen the seal
Data Source
AI summary
A package and method of creating a package for dispensing a product are disclosed. The package comprises a flexible pouch comprising an elongated spout and a flowable product disposed within the pouch. A spout retainer is disposed on an exterior surface of the pouch adjacent to the spout, with opposite ends of the spout retainer attached to the exterior surface of the pouch to form two bridges, each of the bridges having a bridge width that is wider than a spout width to allow the spout to pass underneath each of the two bridges. The package may be manufactured on a vertical form-fill-seal machine where the pouch and spout retainer are formed from different supplies of film material.