Sheet-Like Composite Layer with Partial Edge Gaps for Easy Opening

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging solutions face challenges in efficiently opening packages with straw holes or flow guide holes due to void formation, which complicates tearing and creates large light-leakage areas, leading to potential food spoilage, especially for liquid contents.

Innovation Solution

A sheet-like composite layer design with a carrier layer, barrier layer, and adhesive layer, featuring gap portions that extend along only part of the edge, reducing the force required for opening and minimizing light leakage by spacing the adhesive and barrier layers, thereby facilitating package opening and long-term storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the adhesive layer and barrier layer are fully bonded without gap portions, then the structural integrity and barrier performance are improved, but the force required to open the package increases and light leakage occurs at the edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarrier performanceVSAvoidpackage opening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous adhesive layer is segmented by introducing gap portions that extend along part of the edge of the opening. This segmentation creates controlled separation zones between the adhesive layer and barrier layer, allowing the package to be easily opened while maintaining barrier performance in the covered areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the package structure are given different properties: the barrier layer covers the opening to provide light and moisture barrier, while the gap portions at the edges create light-transmitting zones that facilitate easy opening. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between barrier performance and ease of opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the adhesive layer and barrier layer are fully bonded without gap portions, then the structural integrity is improved, but light leakage occurs at the edges leading to food spoilage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidlight leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous adhesive layer is segmented by introducing gap portions that extend along part of the edge of the opening. This segmentation creates controlled separation zones between the adhesive layer and barrier layer, allowing the package to be easily opened while maintaining barrier performance in the covered areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gap portions, which could be seen as defects compromising structural integrity, are actually designed to serve beneficial functions: they prevent light leakage by creating controlled separation zones, facilitate easy package opening, and maintain overall structural reliability through strategic placement along the edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If gap portions are introduced between adhesive layer and barrier layer, then ease of opening and light leakage reduction are improved, but the structural integrity and barrier performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage openingVSAvoidbarrier performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the package structure are given different properties: the barrier layer covers the opening to provide light and moisture barrier, while the gap portions at the edges create light-transmitting zones that facilitate easy opening. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between barrier performance and ease of opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating gap portions along the entire edge, the invention applies gap portions only along part of the edge, maintaining sufficient barrier coverage while providing adequate opening facilitation. This partial application optimizes the balance between barrier performance and ease of opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4582350A1Sheet-like composite layer and packaging sheet

Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SIG SERVICES AG

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Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

A sheet-like composite layer, comprising: a carrier layer (10), a barrier layer (30), and an adhesive layer (20). The barrier layer is superposed on the carrier layer, and the adhesive layer is located between the carrier layer and the barrier layer and is configured to adhere the carrier layer and the barrier layer. The carrier layer has an opening (11), and the barrier layer and the adhesive layer are configured to extend along a plane where the carrier layer is located and to cover the opening. The carrier layer comprises an edge (110) surrounding the opening, gap portions (G1 and G2) are formed between the adhesive layer and the barrier layer in a thickness direction of the carrier layer, and the gap portions are configured to extend along part of the edge. In the sheet-like composite layer, by enabling the gap portions to extend along only part of the edge, a force required for a film at the opening can be reduced, thereby facilitating the opening of packages, and the light-leakage area can be reduced, thereby facilitating long-term storage of content. Further provided is a packaging sheet (100) comprising the sheet-like composite layer.