Wet Sheet Package with Zigzag Folding for Easy Grasping and Unfolding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wet-sheet packaging, such as facemasks, requires users to unfold folded sheets after removal from packaging, which can be difficult due to adhered cosmetic liquid and complex designs like eye and nose cut-outs, leading to user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

The packaging design includes an outer bag with a take-out opening and inner container that allows the topmost wet sheet to be grasped and unfolded while being removed, with the sheet folded in a zigzag shape and accommodated in an inner container that supports easy extraction and minimizes liquid adherence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If wet sheets are folded into a compact shape for packaging, then the packaging size is reduced, but the sheets adhere to each other due to cosmetic liquid permeation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging sizeVSAvoidliquid adherence
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wet sheet is divided into multiple sections by fold lines, creating a segmented structure that prevents complete adhesion. When folded, only portions of adjacent sections contact each other, reducing the harmful adhesive effect of the cosmetic liquid while maintaining compact packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet is pre-folded into a compact shape before packaging, with fold lines strategically positioned to create separation zones. This preliminary folding action ensures that when the sheet is removed from packaging, the segmented structure prevents full adhesion, solving the problem before the user needs to unfold it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the facemask is folded into sections for compact packaging, then the packaging efficiency is improved, but the user experiences difficulty in spreading out the facemask after removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging efficiencyVSAvoidease of spreading
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The facemask is segmented by fold lines into distinct sections that can be easily separated. This segmentation allows the user to unfold the mask by simply pulling apart the sections along the fold lines, making the spreading action much easier despite the compact folded packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of folding the mask in a way that requires complex unfolding maneuvers, the fold lines are arranged to enable simple reverse folding. The mask is folded into a compact shape during packaging, but the same fold lines facilitate easy unfolding by the user in the opposite direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Volume of moving object

If multiple folded facemasks are stacked vertically for packaging, then the packaging compactness is improved, but the topmost sheet's edge is difficult to grasp for removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging compactnessVSAvoidease of grasping
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fold lines are positioned asymmetrically, with one edge of the topmost sheet having a unique configuration that protrudes or is more accessible. This asymmetric folding creates a natural grasping point on the topmost sheet while maintaining overall compact stacking of multiple masks in the packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The folding pattern creates dimensional variations in the stacked package, with the topmost sheet's edge extending slightly beyond the compact stack in a specific direction. This dimensional change provides an accessible grasping point without significantly increasing the overall packaging volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3466837B1Wet sheet package
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 GLIDE ENTERPRISE INC
  • EP3466837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3466837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3466837B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4(b)

AI summary

Provided is wet-sheet packaging that eliminates the troubles that a user encounters in spreading out a wet sheet (2) after the user has taken it out from the packaging, and that thereby improves the convenience in use of the wet sheet (2). A layered body (3) of folded wet sheets is accommodated in an inner container inside an outer bag (8) that is provided with an outer take-out opening (23) at its surface. The outer take-out opening (23) is freely opened and closed by a closure sheet (24). The layered body (3) is accommodated so as to allow a user to grasp an edge of the upper surface of the topmost wet sheet (2) and to spread out the wet sheet (2). The layered body (3) is made by stacking multiple wet sheets (2), each of which is folded into a zigzag shape, to form a band-shaped folded body. The edge (19) is disposed at the middle part of the folded body in the width direction so as to face the lengthwise direction.