Bag Expander With Torsion-Spring Collapse for Efficient Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bag expanders fail to provide a filled appearance effectively for bag articles during transportation and display, and they are cumbersome for mass transportation due to their structural limitations.
Innovation Solution
A bag expander with rotatable wall portions and a torsion spring mechanism that allows for a collapsed configuration for easy transportation and an expanded configuration to mimic a filled appearance, featuring a monolithic bridge and foldable areas for flexibility and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional bag expanders use bands that pull the bag expanders into an expanded form, then the bag expander can provide a filled appearance, but the structure does not allow for efficient mass transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The bag expander employs a torsion spring mechanism that enables dynamic transformation between collapsed and expanded configurations. The spring stores mechanical energy in the collapsed state and releases it to automatically expand the bag expander when deployed, allowing efficient transportation in collapsed form while achieving full expanded appearance for display
Solution Approach 2:
The bag expander structure allows the wall portions to fold and nest together in the collapsed configuration, minimizing volume for mass transportation. When expanded, the wall portions unfold to create the filled appearance, effectively nesting the expanded structure within a compact form factor
2Shape
If other known expanders are structured to provide a filled appearance, then the bag article looks appealing, but they are cumbersome for mass transportation and use
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion spring mechanism provides automatic expansion without requiring manual assembly or complex operations. The bag expander transitions dynamically from a compact transport state to an expanded display state through simple activation, significantly improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion spring mechanism is self-activating and does not require external power sources, complex controls, or manual assembly steps. The bag expander serves itself by automatically expanding when deployed, eliminating the need for additional operational complexity
3Loss of energy
If bag expanders are shipped stuffed to minimize freight costs, then shipping costs are reduced, but the expanders take up excessive space during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The bag expander collapses into a compact nested form for transportation, minimizing the volume occupied during shipping while maintaining the capability to expand to full size for display. This nested configuration dramatically reduces transportation volume compared to shipped-in-expanded form
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic collapse/expand capability allows the bag expander to occupy minimal volume during transportation and then expand to provide the filled appearance when needed, optimizing the trade-off between transportation efficiency and display effectiveness
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
Enables efficient mass transportation of bag expanders while providing a natural, filled appearance to bag articles upon assembly, reducing shipping costs and enhancing display appeal.
Implementation Method 1
The expansion mechanism can be a torsion spring
Data Source
AI summary
A bag expander, comprising a first wall portion, a second wall portion, a bridge coupling the first and second wall portions together, wherein the first and second wall portions are rotatable about the bridge to lie along a substantially same plane, and an expansion mechanism secured to the bridge, wherein the expansion mechanism is configured to bias the first wall and second wall portions from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration.