Wipe Package Aperture Sizing to Reduce Multi-Sheet Dispensing Waste
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art packages for dispensing interleaved sheets face issues with proper disengagement of sheet interconnections due to the small size of apertures and closures, leading to increased waste as multiple sheets are inadvertently drawn through the aperture.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring an aperture with a significantly larger size, where the aperture's area is between 70% and 81% of the top wall's area, and a space of at least ¼" between the aperture and the top wall's perimeter, allowing for easier dispensing of individual sheets without interference from adjacent sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the aperture size is made small to allow closure to cover and secure the package, then the closure can be made smaller and adhere more securely, but the sheet interconnections cannot be properly disengaged causing multiple sheets to be drawn through
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture area is changed from a small size to a large size (70-81% of top wall area) to enable proper disengagement of sheet interconnections while maintaining secure closure through adequate spacing requirements
2Ease of operation
If the aperture size is made large to facilitate sheet disengagement, then sheets can be easily separated, but the closure cannot adequately cover the aperture while maintaining secure adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture area is optimized to a specific range (70-81% of top wall area) that balances sheet disengagement ease with closure coverage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from considering only aperture size to considering both aperture size and spacing dimensions together, establishing that adequate space (at least 1/4" on all sides) is as important as aperture area for maintaining closure security
3Area of stationary object
If adequate space is provided around the aperture for closure adhesion, then the closure can securely cover the aperture, but the aperture size is reduced limiting sheet dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing parameter is optimized to at least 1/4" on all sides of the aperture, which provides sufficient area for secure closure adhesion while maintaining a large aperture (70-81% of top wall area) for easy sheet dispensing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a package (10) for holding and dispensing a number of individual material sheets (30) held therein. The package includes an aperture (34) that is formed large enough to enable the sheets, such as wet wipes, to be individually dispensed form the package without interference from adjacent or successive sheets.