Resealable Flexible Container Closure Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional containers lose resealability after initial use, failing to protect contents from moisture, aroma loss, and environmental influences due to non-resealable openings.

Innovation Solution

A container with a flexible cover featuring a resealable opening mechanism, allowing access without opening the main entry point, using a closure device with elongate configuration and two closure elements that can switch between closed and open positions, ensuring effective sealing and multiple emptying processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the main opening is closed to protect contents, then protection from environmental influences is improved, but access to contents requires opening the main opening which compromises protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from environmental influencesVSAvoidaccess to contents
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The opening is divided into two separate openings: a main opening for filling and a smaller resealable opening for access. This segmentation allows the main opening to remain closed for protection while providing a separate controlled access point through the resealable opening, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A closure device with sealing elements acts as an intermediary mechanism between the resealable opening and the contents. This intermediary allows controlled access while maintaining overall protection, enabling users to access contents without compromising the sealed main opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the container is made resealable to maintain protection, then reliability of protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of protectionVSAvoidclosure device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device utilizes flexible sealing elements that can be integrated into the container wall structure. These flexible sealing components provide reliable resealability through simple mechanical movement rather than complex mechanical systems, maintaining protection reliability while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The closure device is designed to be manually operated by the user without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. The simple opening and closing action allows users to maintain protection reliability themselves, reducing the need for complex automated or assisted systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If a closure device is added to create a resealable opening, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality of containerVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device with resealable opening serves multiple functions: it allows repeated access to contents, maintains protection when closed, and enables partial emptying of the container. This multi-functionality justifies the additional manufacturing steps by providing versatile functionality that enhances the container's utility across various use cases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3219635B1Container
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER GMBH
  • EP3219635B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3219635B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3219635B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a container (10) into which goods can be placed, with a flexible covering (11) which has at least one main opening (12) and a cavity (13) for placing goods through the main opening (12) into the cavity (13), and a closure device (50) provided on the covering (11), wherein the closure device (50) has a resealable opening (53) which allows access to the cavity (13) when the main opening (12) is closed.