Tampon Overwrap Tear Line for Single-Handed Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tampon packaging requires two-handed manipulation for opening and lacks intuitive feedback mechanisms, especially in poor lighting conditions or for visually impaired individuals.
Innovation Solution
A tampon packaging design with a continuous line of weakness extending along the circumference and across the seam, allowing single-handed opening with an audible 'click' sound, and tactile cues for easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional opening system is used, then the packaging structure is simple, but two-handed manipulation is required for opening
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into two functional parts: a rigid inner container that maintains structural integrity and a flexible outer wrap that provides the opening mechanism. The line of weakness is segmented into multiple sections with varying distances from the flat end, allowing progressive tearing that requires only single-handed manipulation while maintaining packaging functionality.
2Loss of information
If no feedback mechanism is provided, then the packaging structure is simple, but immediate feedback is lacking for users in poor lighting or visually impaired individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The line of weakness is designed to produce an audible 'click' sound when torn, providing immediate acoustic feedback to the user that the packaging has been successfully opened. This feedback mechanism is integrated into the existing tearing structure without adding separate components, allowing users to confirm opening status through sound rather than visual inspection.
3Ease of operation
If the line of weakness is positioned close to the flat end, then the opening is easier to initiate, but the tampon cannot be properly exposed for hygienic removal
Solution Approach 1:
The line of weakness is segmented into multiple sections at different distances from the flat end. The first section is positioned to allow easy initiation of tearing, while subsequent sections are spaced to ensure complete separation of the tampon from the packaging. This segmentation allows the opening process to begin easily while maintaining proper exposure for hygienic removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the line of weakness at a single fixed location, the design distributes weakness elements along the longitudinal axis at multiple positions. This dimensional distribution allows the tearing process to progress from the flat end toward the tapered end, ensuring both easy initiation and complete tampon exposure for hygienic removal.
Data Source
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AI summary
A packaged elongate intravaginal device having a longitudinal axis and comprising: a. an elongate intravaginal device having a tapered end positioned at the front of the elongate intravaginal device and an oppositely disposed substantially flat end positioned at the rear of the elongate intravaginal device at a distance along the longitudinal axis, wherein the elongate intravaginal device has a diameter d and a maximum length L extending from said flat end to said tapered end along the longitudinal axis; and b. an overwrap substantially enclosing the elongate intravaginal device and having a longitudinal overlap seam disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and extending along a length of said elongate intravaginal device, wherein: i. the seam includes one ply of overwrap material disposed at a first margin of an overwrap blank superposed on a second ply of overwrap material disposed at a second margin of the overwrap blank, opposite the first margin; and ii. the overwrap has a substantially continuous line of weakness that extends along a circumference of the elongate intravaginal device and across the seam and includes weakness elements superposed in each ply of the seam; wherein, the line of weakness originates from two symmetrically disposed ends , typically being oppositely disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis and generally connected to each other by a common transverse axis that runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and in that the distance between the substantially flat end positioned at the rear of the elongate intravaginal device and the furthest position P on the line of weakness along the longitudinal axis is greater than the diameter d of the elongate intravaginal device and less than 0.5L, so that said overwrap may be single-handedly opened to expose the rear of the elongate intravaginal device.