Dimensionally Stable Lid for Water-Soluble Detergent Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portion packs with detergents and cleaning agents are not dimensionally stable, making them flexible and unsuitable for storing different products that may be incompatible or require different dosages in a washing or cleaning cycle.
Innovation Solution
A portion pack design featuring at least two chambers formed from a water-soluble film and a dimensionally stable injection-molded lid, with separate sealing areas to maintain stability and allow for different products to be stored independently, and a detachable connection for space-efficient packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If portion packs are made from flexible water-soluble films, then they are easy to manufacture and dissolve, but they lack dimensional stability and cannot maintain fixed chamber arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into multiple sealing areas (first sealing area, second sealing area, etc.) that can be independently attached to different chambers. This segmentation allows each chamber to be sealed independently while maintaining the overall dimensional stability of the portion pack structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The portion pack combines water-soluble film chambers with a dimensionally stable lid material that does not dissolve. This composite structure allows the chambers to be water-soluble for easy dissolution while the lid provides structural stability and maintains fixed spatial relationships between chambers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple chambers are arranged in portion packs, then different products can be stored, but the chambers lack fixed spatial arrangement and dimensional stability
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into multiple distinct sealing areas, each capable of sealing a different chamber. This allows multiple chambers to be arranged in fixed spatial relationships while maintaining independent sealing capabilities for different products.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid serves multiple functions: it provides dimensional stability, creates fixed spatial arrangement, and includes multiple sealing areas for different chambers. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both versatility and stability requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If injection molding is used for the lid, then dimensional stability and manufacturing precision are improved, but material waste increases compared to stamping
Solution Approach 1:
The lid wall thickness is varied in different regions, with greater thickness at sealing areas and reduced thickness in inner areas. This parameter change optimizes both manufacturing precision (through injection molding) and material efficiency, reducing overall material consumption while maintaining critical sealing functions.
4Strength
If lid wall thickness is increased at sealing areas, then seal strength and dimensional stability improve, but material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid exhibits local quality variations with greater wall thickness at sealing areas where strength is needed and reduced thickness in inner areas where less strength is required. This localized material distribution optimizes seal strength while minimizing overall material consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall thickness parameter is changed across different regions of the lid, creating a gradient from thicker sealing areas to thinner inner areas. This parameter variation allows the lid to achieve necessary strength at critical locations while reducing total material usage.
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 design provides a dimensionally stable and space-efficient portion pack that can store different products, ensuring compatibility and allowing for controlled dispensing of various quantities during washing or cleaning cycles, while minimizing material usage.
Implementation Method 1
the chamber is formed from a water-soluble film that is at least partially plastically deformed by deep drawing
Implementation Method 2
The lid is injection-molded. Injection molding produces a high-quality lid with very little material waste. Injection-molded lids have very defined wall thickness and contours.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A water-reactive single-use packet (1) having a product (3), which preferably comprises a detergent and/or cleaning agent (2), has at least one chamber (8) for storing the product (3). The chamber (8) is made of a water-soluble film (5) and a water-soluble and dimensionally stable lid (11). The lid is attached to the water-soluble film (5) by means of a seal (13).