Resealable Packaging With Selective Cling Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing resealable packaging systems using pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) face issues with contamination by food, non-selectivity, and decreased peel strength over time, leading to compromised adhesive integrity.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of anchoring points and selective cling coatings that attach only to these points, preventing contamination and maintaining peel strength through time, with anchoring points being incorporated or affixed during manufacturing and cling coatings applied via various methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) is used for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is achieved, but adhesive integrity is compromised due to food contamination and material transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive integrityVSAvoidfood contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into two separate components: a stationary anchoring point and a movable cling coating. This segmentation prevents the adhesive from direct contact with food while maintaining sealing functionality. The anchoring point remains fixed in the packaging material, while the cling coating is applied only where needed and can be easily removed without contaminating the adhesive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cling coating acts as an intermediary between the anchoring point and the food. It provides the necessary adhesion for sealing while being easily removable, thus protecting the anchoring point from food contamination. The intermediary layer allows the system to maintain sealing effectiveness without direct adhesive-food contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If PSA is used for resealing, then initial sealing is effective, but peel strength decreases over time due to adhesive transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeel strengthVSAvoidadhesive durability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cling coating is designed as a temporary, disposable element that can be easily applied and removed. It serves its purpose during the sealing process and then discards itself, preventing adhesive transfer to the anchoring point. This allows the anchoring point to maintain its full adhesive strength for multiple resealing cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The cling coating is discarded after a single use, while the anchoring point is recovered and reused for multiple sealing operations. This approach ensures that the adhesive anchoring point maintains its integrity and peel strength over time, as it is not contaminated by food or degraded by repeated use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Area of stationary object

If PSA is applied broadly, then sealing coverage is sufficient, but selectivity is poor leading to non-specific adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing coverageVSAvoidadhesive selectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cling coating is applied locally only at the specific location where sealing is needed, rather than broadly across the entire packaging surface. This localized application provides precise sealing coverage while maintaining high selectivity, as the adhesive is only present where required for the sealing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 system ensures consistent performance by preventing food and material contamination, maintaining adhesive strength with reuse, and reducing material transfer, thus providing a reliable resealable packaging solution.

Implementation Method 1

one or more cling coatings on the article, which attaches to the anchoring point or points

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9434513B2Resealable packaging articles and methods of making and using thereof

Publication Date: 2016.09.06 ACTEGA NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

Resealable systems for consumer packaging, such as food packaging, are described herein. The system includes one or more anchor points and one or more cling coatings. The anchor points can be introduced into or onto the packaging material during manufacture, such as by co-extrusion. Alternatively, the anchor points can be affixed to the packaging material after manufacture, such as with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The cling coatings can be applied to the packaging material during or after manufacture. For example, the cling coatings can be spot coated or pattern coated onto the desired location. The cling coatings are selective, that is they do not attach to themselves but only attach to the anchor point. The cling coatings transfer little or no material over time resulting in more consistent performance over time than pressure sensitive adhesives.