Removable Pull Tab With Segmented Sealing Seam

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional containers with pull tabs often require destructive methods to detach the pull tab, leading to environmental concerns and improper disposal, as the tabs are not designed for easy removal without damaging the container or the tab itself.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a removable pull tab connected to the container via a sealing seam area and a separate fixing area, allowing the pull tab to be easily detached from the sealing seam without damaging the container or tab, while the fixing area provides a secure attachment that prevents complete detachment without destruction, facilitating recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the pull tab is permanently attached to the container, then the container becomes environmentally friendly and recyclable, but the pull tab cannot be removed without damaging the container or tab material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental harm from improper disposalVSAvoidremovability of pull tab

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into two distinct areas: a sealing seam area that allows easy removal and a fixing area that provides secure attachment. This segmentation enables the pull tab to be cleanly separated from the container for recycling while maintaining secure attachment during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the container-pull tab interface have different attachment characteristics. The sealing seam area has low attachment strength for easy separation, while the fixing area has high attachment strength for secure fixation. This local differentiation of attachment properties resolves the contradiction between removability and secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the pull tab is easily removable from the sealing seam area, then the container can be opened cleanly without damage, but the pull tab may detach accidentally during handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclean separation of pull tabVSAvoidsecure attachment of pull tab

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into two distinct areas: a sealing seam area that allows easy removal and a fixing area that provides secure attachment. This segmentation enables the pull tab to be cleanly separated from the container for recycling while maintaining secure attachment during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the container-pull tab interface have different attachment characteristics. The sealing seam area has low attachment strength for easy separation, while the fixing area has high attachment strength for secure fixation. This local differentiation of attachment properties resolves the contradiction between removability and secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the pull tab is completely detached from the container, then the container can be fully opened, but the pull tab and container material are destroyed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete opening of containerVSAvoiddamage to pull tab and container material

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into two distinct areas: a sealing seam area that allows easy removal and a fixing area that provides secure attachment. This segmentation enables the pull tab to be cleanly separated from the container for recycling while maintaining secure attachment during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is extracted from the fixing function. The pull tab is removed only from the sealing seam area while remaining attached at the fixing area, allowing the sealing purpose to be achieved without complete detachment that would cause material damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4311790A1Container and method for producing a container

Publication Date: 2024.01.31 MICHAEL HORAUF MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a container (10) with a pouring or drinking opening (18), wherein the pouring or drinking opening is closed with a removable pull tab (20), wherein the pull tab is connected to the material of the container surrounding the pouring or drinking opening in a sealing seam area (22) such that the pull tab can be removed from the material of the container surrounding the pouring or drinking opening in the sealing seam area without damaging the material of the container and/or the material of the pull tab, wherein the pull tab is connected to the material of the container in a fixing area (24) such that the pull tab cannot be removed from the container in the fixing area without damaging the material of the pull tab and/or the material of the container, wherein the fixing area is different from the sealing seam area and the fixing area and the sealing seam area do not overlap.