Tubular Wrapper With Weakness Line For Easy Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging methods for consumable products, such as gum pellets, are costly due to the need for additional components like tear strips and are difficult to open and reseal, often compromising the integrity of the package and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system featuring a tubular packet with a line of weakness in the wrapper that allows for easy opening and potential resealing, using a laminated material with the line of weakness in inner layers to maintain package integrity and a sticker with a peelable adhesive for user assistance, along with a foldable outer cover for enhanced usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tear strip is attached to the wrapper to assist opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to additional components and process steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tear strip component entirely and replaces it with a line of weakness directly formed in the wrapper material itself. This extraction of the unnecessary component simplifies the package structure while maintaining the opening function through the line of weakness that guides tearing without requiring an additional strip.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the opening assistance function into the wrapper material by incorporating a line of weakness directly into the wrapper structure. This combines what were previously separate elements (wrapper and tear strip) into a single integrated component, reducing complexity while preserving ease of opening.
2Reliability
If the wrapper is made gas and moisture impervious to protect products, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the wrapper becomes tough and difficult to tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a line of weakness with specific localized properties in the wrapper. The wrapper material has different properties at different locations: the majority maintains gas and moisture imperviousness for protection, while the line of weakness has reduced strength to facilitate easy tearing. This is achieved by forming the line of weakness through scoring, perforating, or thinning the material at specific locations.
3Ease of operation
If perforations are provided through the wrapper to create a line of weakness, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the integrity of the sealed packet is lost for perishable products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality - the line of weakness is created only in specific locations within the wrapper material, not throughout. The wrapper maintains its integrity and protective properties in all areas except along the line of weakness where controlled tearing is desired. This can be achieved by scoring, perforating, or thinning the material locally at the line of weakness while leaving the rest of the wrapper intact.
Data Source
AI summary
A package assembly (20) comprises products enclosed in a tubular packet (24) formed from a flexible wrapper (26). A line of weakness (40) encloses an opening region (42) in a side wall (28) of the packet. The opening region (42) is at least partially removed to create a dispensing opening by tearing the wrapper along the line of weakness (40). In one embodiment, the packet is opened by pressing one of the products through the opening region. In another embodiment, a sticker (150, FIG. 3) is adhered to the opening portion to provide a tab (152, FIG. 3) which can be pulled to open the packet. In a further embodiment, the packet is enclosed in a stiff outer cover (260, FIG. 5). The cover has a reclosable flap (262) bonded to the opening region so that on first opening of the flap, the packet is torn along the line of weakness.