Bag Container Access Structure Hermetic Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bag in a box container access structures fail to provide a hermetic seal and tamper-evident features, leading to leakage and contamination risks, especially when removing and reinserting extraction equipment.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece access structure formed through an overmolding process using different materials, which creates a hermetic seal and incorporates tamper-evident features that allow for the re-closure of the access point after equipment removal, utilizing a two-shot molding process to bond the materials and include frangible links for sealing and tampering indication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multi-component assemblies with snap rings are used for access structures, then the structure can be assembled from separate parts, but the assembly can disassemble under pressure and leak if components are miss-cut or improperly assembled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly from separate partsVSAvoidhermetic seal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate components (die cut membrane, snap ring, housing structure) into a single integrated access structure made from a single piece of flexible material. This eliminates the interfaces between components where leaks could occur, while maintaining the functional benefits of having distinct regions for sealing, reinforcement, and closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The access structure incorporates a composite construction with a flexible base material and an overmolded material with different properties. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for sealing and the structural integrity required to prevent disassembly under pressure, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and hermetic reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a hermetic seal is implemented at the access location, then leakage is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehermetic sealVSAvoidaccess location structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function, reinforcement function, and closure function are merged into a single integrated structure rather than being separate components. This reduces device complexity while maintaining hermetic sealing, as the single-piece construction eliminates the need for multiple parts and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The access structure utilizes the flexibility of thin film material to create self-sealing features and compliant sealing surfaces that conform to the valve or probe. This flexible shell approach provides hermetic sealing without requiring complex rigid structures, multiple components, or intricate assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If the access location is designed to accommodate removal and reinsertion of extraction equipment, then versatility is improved, but the seal may be compromised and leakage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval and reinsertion of equipmentVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access structure incorporates dynamic, movable components including a closable cover and flexible membrane that can adapt to the presence or absence of extraction equipment. These dynamic features allow the structure to maintain hermetic sealing whether equipment is inserted, removed, or being reinserted, providing both versatility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible membrane and thin film construction allows the access structure to dynamically conform to different states (equipment present or absent) while maintaining sealing integrity. The flexibility enables the structure to accommodate removal and reinsertion of equipment without compromising the hermetic seal, as the material can elastically deform and return to its sealing configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If tamper-evident features are incorporated into the access structure, then security is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper evidenceVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tamper-evident features are merged into the single-piece construction process rather than being added as separate components or post-processing steps. The frangible links and sealed configurations are integrated into the molding or forming process, providing tamper evidence while maintaining ease of manufacture through the already-simplified single-piece construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9457936B2Access structure

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

An access structure for a bag container includes a stress riser configuration formed in the bag and an attachment body attached to the bag overlying the stress riser configuration. A probe that may be associated with a shut off is provided for insertion through the attachment body and against the stress riser configuration to rupture the stress riser configuration and open the bag for emptying.