Resealable Opening Device Hinge Adaptation Flexible Package
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resealable opening devices for flexible packages are prone to coming loose during handling and distribution, particularly when packages are placed horizontally, leading to a risk of accidental spillage and reduced shelf life.
Innovation Solution
A resealable opening device with a thin-walled body featuring a first hinge joint transverse to the dispensing direction and additional hinge joints that allow the device to adapt to outward bulging shape changes of the package, ensuring a secure attachment and reliable sealing, utilizing a locking mechanism for efficient resealing and dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resealable opening device is attached to a flexible package, then the package can be resealed to prevent spillage and extend shelf life, but the device may come loose during handling and distribution when packages are placed horizontally
Solution Approach 1:
The opening device is divided into multiple sections (first section with first hinge joint, second section with second hinge joint, third section with third hinge joint) that can independently move and adapt to package shape changes, preventing the entire device from detaching while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge joints enable dynamic movement of the device sections relative to each other, allowing the device to adapt to outward bulging shape changes of the flexible package during handling and distribution, maintaining stable attachment while preserving resealing capability
2Productivity
If the package is placed horizontally during distribution, then storage and transport efficiency is improved, but the opening device becomes prone to coming loose
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic hinge joints allow the device to adapt to gravitational and handling forces when packages are placed horizontally, maintaining secure attachment through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation that would detach under horizontal positioning forces
3Stability of the object's composition
If the opening device is made rigid to ensure stable attachment, then the device remains securely attached during handling, but the device cannot adapt to outward bulging shape changes of the flexible package
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the device into multiple hinged sections allows each segment to maintain relative stability while collectively adapting to package shape changes, achieving both attachment stability and shape adaptability through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-walled body with hinge joints creates a flexible yet stable structure that can conform to outward bulging shape changes of the flexible package while maintaining secure attachment through the distributed hinge joint system
Data Source
AI summary
A resealable opening device for a flexible package (21) of collapsible type having a compartment defined by flexible walls (24), comprising a thin-walled body (2) having a back surface (3) attachable on one of the flexible walls (24) of the package (21) in a dispensing portion (23) of the package, a first hinge joint (5) extending in a first direction (P1) and connecting a first section (6) of the body (2) with a second section (7) of the body (2), the thin-wall body (2) being intended to be arranged such that the first hinge joint (5) is arranged transversely to a dispensing direction (P4) of the package, and a second hinge joint (8) extending in a second direction (P2) crossing the first hinge joint (5), wherein a locking member (14) is arranged for locking the first section (6) to the second section (7) when the first and second sections (6, 7) are folded towards each other about the first hinge joint (5). The thin-walled body (2) is further provided with a third hinge joint (9) extending in a third direction (P3) crossing the first hinge joint (5) and arranged at a distance from the second hinge joint (8). The thin-walled body is adaptable to an outwardly bulging shape change of the flexible wall (24) on which the device is intended to be attached. The invention also relates to a package provided with such a resealable opening device.