Vertical Break-Open Package With Asymmetric Incisions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealed single-dose break-open packages are not suited for applications requiring high precision in product outlet direction, as they must be opened horizontally, hiding the underlying opening and causing unpredictable product flow when folded in a 'V' shape.
Innovation Solution
A sealed single-dose break-open package design featuring a semirigid plastic sheet with a central pre-weakened area, comprising a transversely oriented inner and outer incision, allowing controlled breakage and vertical opening to ensure precise product direction and flow, with the outer incision being asymmetrically arranged to enhance control over the product's exit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the package is opened horizontally with the pre-weakened area oriented downwards, then the package structure remains simple, but the product outlet direction becomes unpredictable and the operation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the outer incision asymmetrically arranged relative to the inner incision. The outer incision has different lengths on its two ends, with one end extending further than the other. This asymmetric design creates a predetermined breakage path that guides the product flow in a specific direction when the package is opened vertically, solving the problem of unpredictable product outlet direction while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-creating both the inner incision and the asymmetric outer incision during manufacturing. These pre-formed incisions prepare the package structure in advance to ensure that when the package is opened, the breakage follows a predetermined path. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time control during opening operations, improving ease of operation while maintaining simple package structure.
2Ease of operation
If the package is opened from a horizontal position, then the manufacturing process remains straightforward, but the opening operation becomes uncertain as the underlying opening is hidden from view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by changing the opening orientation from horizontal to vertical. Instead of opening the package horizontally where the target opening is hidden underneath, the package is designed to be opened vertically from top to bottom. This inversion makes the target opening visible throughout the opening process, allowing the user to accurately direct the product into the opening while maintaining straightforward manufacturing of the incision structures.
3Ease of operation
If the product flows out with an accidental direction from a V-folded package, then no additional control mechanisms are needed, but the operation becomes complicated and uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric outer incision design where one end of the outer incision extends further than the other end. This asymmetry creates an inherent directional guide for product flow. When the package is opened, the product naturally follows the path created by the asymmetric incision structure, providing predictable flow direction without requiring additional control mechanisms, thus achieving product flow control with minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric incision structure serves itself to guide product flow direction. The geometry of the outer incision, with its unequal ends, automatically directs the product along a predetermined path during opening. This self-guiding mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems or complex additional structures, providing product flow control through the incision design alone.
Data Source
AI summary
A sealed single-dose break-open package having: a first sheet of semi-rigid plastic material; a second sheet of flexible plastic material superimposed on and sealed to the first sheet of semi-rigid plastic material to define a sealed pocket containing a dose of a product; and a pre-weakened area, which extends transversely and is obtained in a central area of the first sheet, so as to guide, following a folding of the sealed package, a controlled breakage of the first sheet in correspondence to the pre-weakened area; the pre-weakened area has a single inner incision, which is oriented transversely and is obtained through an inner surface of the first sheet, and a single outer incision, which is oriented transversely, is obtained through an outer surface of the first sheet, and is transversely staggered relative to and longitudinally aligned with the inner incision.