Authors : Poh Kiat Ng, K. Ganesh Kuma, Kian Siong Jee and Zi Yang Hooi
Abstract: The protection, constancy, cleanliness and nutrition of products can be ensured through preservation methods. In association to this, vacuum sealed packaging has been proven to be an efficient preservation method. Nonetheless, there have been problems on the difficulty in opening these vacuum sealed packages. These problems include the frustrations faced by users (otherwise known as wrap rage) and injuries sustained due to cuts from tools or overexertion with bare hands while attempting to open these tightly sealed packages. One of the solutions to these problems lie in the design of an appropriate pocket-sized vacuum sealed pack opener that is safe to use for users of all ages. Therefore, the aim of this study is to innovate and design a vacuum sealed package opener that is not harmful to users and effectively allows users to open the packages at the same time. For this study, TRIZ tools were used. Several function models were investigated along with the cause and effect chain analysis, upon which 3 major engineering contradictions were established. These contradictions were resolved with the recommendation of 5 inventive principles, namely dynamicity, spheroidality, asymmetry, taking out and intermediary. Finally, researchers proposed a vacuum sealed pack opener equipped with a cutting wheel inserted in the upper body. This cutting wheel would cut against the sealed package’s edge horizontally across and against a "V"-cavity fixed on the lower body. The new design’s impact reflects on the improvement on several characteristics associated with human limitation, safety and health.
Poh Kiat Ng, K. Ganesh Kuma, Kian Siong Jee and Zi Yang Hooi, 2019. TRIZ Applications in the Design of a Vacuum Sealed Package Opener. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 14: 9193-9197.