Scented Zipper with Internal Fragrance Reservoir

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reclosable packages with scented contents require a large amount of fragrance-carrying material and often release fragrance prematurely during storage, before the package is opened by the consumer.

Innovation Solution

A reclosable package design where fragrance-carrying material is contained within the zipper's internal volume, ensuring the scent is retained until the package is opened and exposed only when the zipper is opened, thereby reducing fragrance usage and preserving shelf-life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If fragrance-carrying material is placed in the package storage volume, then the fragrance is released during storage, but the fragrance is released prematurely before the package is opened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragrance shelf-lifeVSAvoidfragrance release timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The fragrance-carrying material is extracted from the package storage volume and placed specifically within the zipper structure. This separation isolates the fragrance source to a specific location (the zipper) that remains closed during storage, preventing premature release while maintaining the fragrance for later use when the zipper is opened.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The zipper acts as an intermediary structure that contains and controls the fragrance release. By placing the fragrance-carrying material within the zipper's internal volume, the zipper serves as a controlled release mechanism that prevents fragrance escape during storage but allows release when opened by the consumer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If a large amount of fragrance-carrying material is used, then the fragrance intensity is sufficient, but the amount of fragrance material required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragrance intensityVSAvoidfragrance material usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of distributing fragrance material throughout the entire package, the invention concentrates the fragrance-carrying material locally within the zipper structure. This localized placement ensures that the fragrance is contained in a specific region where it can be effectively controlled and released only when needed, reducing overall material usage while maintaining sufficient intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fragrance-carrying material is pre-positioned within the zipper structure during package manufacturing. This preliminary placement ensures that the fragrance is already in position to be released only when the zipper is opened, eliminating the need for excessive material to compensate for premature or uncontrolled release during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If fragrance is released during storage, then the package has scent, but the consumer experience is degraded by premature exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumer experienceVSAvoidfragrance duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fragrance release function is extracted from the general package storage environment and specifically assigned to the zipper mechanism. This ensures that fragrance release is tied to the opening action of the zipper, providing consumers with the intended experience of smelling the fragrance only when they open the package, while maintaining adequate fragrance duration through proper material placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9896241B2Reclosable package or bag with scented zipper

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

The zipper for a reclosable package wherein the zipper includes fragrance-carrying oil within an internal zipper volume or storage volume thereby confining the scent while the zipper and the package are closed. When the zipper is opened, the scent is allowed to escape to the consumer.