Bag Chain Spacer Integration for Anti-Sticking Film
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated opening and removal of tubular bags in high-speed packaging processes are hindered by sticking issues, requiring high opening forces and leading to bag tearing or loss, due to insufficient air flow and negative pressure, which complicates the process and reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
Integration of spacers, such as antiblocking agents like synthetic or natural silicic acid, calcium carbonate, or polycarbonate particles, into the inner and outer sides of the bags to prevent sticking and facilitate easy opening by creating air gaps and improving surface roughness for air flow, while enhancing adhesive strength with pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lubricants are used to enable bags to slide against one another, then sliding behavior is improved, but holding power on carrying straps deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties to different locations: the outer surface of the bag receives lubricant for sliding, while the inner surface receives spacer particles for air gap formation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of sliding behavior and holding power without mutual interference.
2Productivity
If bags are opened rapidly to achieve high productivity, then processing speed is improved, but opening force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer particles are pre-integrated into the film before bag formation, creating air channels in advance. When the bag is opened, these pre-formed air channels immediately allow air inflow, preventing vacuum buildup and reducing the force needed for rapid opening.
3Ease of operation
If spacers are integrated into the film, then air flow is improved and opening force is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical-chemical parameters of the film by integrating spacer particles during the extrusion process. This changes the film's internal structure to include air channels, transforming it from a homogeneous material to a composite structure with built-in ventilation pathways.
4Speed
If suction grippers are moved apart quickly to open the bag, then opening speed is improved, but vacuum increases counteracting the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer particles act as an intermediary structure within the film that facilitates air flow. As the grippers separate and create negative pressure, the spacers immediately channel air into the bag, mediating between the mechanical action of the grippers and the pressure differential, thereby preventing vacuum buildup.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures bags can be opened easily and reliably at high speeds with reduced opening forces, preventing tearing and loss, improving operational safety and productivity, and allowing closer bag arrangement without static charging, thus enhancing the usability and cost-effectiveness of the bag chain.
Implementation Method 1
The spacers ensure that the foils do not lie against one another, but rather that an air gap is formed between them
Implementation Method 2
the surface roughness caused by the anti-blocking agent makes cannulas and capillaries available which greatly favors the flow processes in the bag
Implementation Method 3
The bags should be detachably attached to the carrying tapes, which are preferably designed as adhesive tapes, by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The bag chain has multiple tubular bags made of a plastic foil (11), where the bags are fastened to two drivable cable suspenders detachably. The cable suspenders are arranged with a lateral distance to each other. The plastic foil is provided with spacers (21, 22) on inner sides (12, 13) and/or outer sides of the bags, where the spacers are integrated in the plastic foil. Each spacer is formed by an inorganic or organic anti-blocking agent i.e. synthetic or natural silica, calcium carbonate or polycarbonate particle.