Bag Flange Connection Stability in Flexible Fluid Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for containing fluid substances with flexible bags and rigid necks connected to ring cap elements suffer from unstable coupling between the bag flange and the ring cap, leading to easy disconnection and laborious assembly, especially when the bag is inflated.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a ring cap element with a cylindrical wall and guide elements that securely fasten the bag flange to the ring cap, preventing slippage and allowing easy assembly, even when the bag is inflated, by using a connection flange that extends transversally and a guide element with a restriction mechanism to maintain the flange in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple annular flange engagement is used to connect the bag to the ring cap, then the assembly process is simple, but the connection stability is poor and the bag can easily detach
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into multiple functional elements: the annular flange for basic engagement, the conical wall for positioning and guidance, and the restriction element for preventing detachment. Each segment performs a specific function to collectively achieve both simple assembly and stable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical wall acts as an intermediary element between the flange and the restriction element. It provides a gradual transition surface that guides the flange into proper position while distributing forces, thereby enabling simple assembly without compromising connection stability.
2Volume of moving object
If a conical wall with thin effective thickness is used beneath the rest surface, then the structure is compact, but the connection becomes unstable and the flange can slip out during ring cap removal
Solution Approach 1:
The solution adds a restriction element that extends radially outward from the conical wall, creating a new dimensional barrier. This radial extension prevents the flange from slipping out radially during ring cap removal, thereby enhancing connection stability without significantly increasing the axial thickness of the structure.
3Device complexity
If the bag is assembled with the ring cap before inflation, then the connection structure is simple, but the assembly becomes laborious when the bag is already inflated
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is designed to be dynamically adaptable. The conical wall and restriction element create a self-aligning mechanism that works effectively in both deflated and inflated states. When the bag is inflated, the flange naturally positions itself against the conical wall, maintaining connection stability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
4Reliability
If the seat thickness is increased to improve connection stability, then the connection becomes more reliable, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seat structure is segmented into the conical wall portion and the restriction element portion. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The restriction element is designed as a simple radial extension rather than a thickened seat, avoiding increased overall complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The device for containing a fluid substance to be dispensed by means of a pump (20) operated manually, and suitable to be associated with the neck (10A) of a rigid container (10), comprises a bag (1) having a body (2) and a neck (3) from which a substantially rigid connection flange (3) extends transversally, and a ring cap element (5) comprising first connection means (6) for the bag (1) having an annular connection body (60), presenting a longitudinal symmetry axis (L). The annular connection body (60) has a lower portion (61) having a diameter (D1) smaller than the external diameter (D4) of the flange (4) of the bag (1), and bigger than or equal to the external diameter (D3) of the neck (3) of the bag (1); and an upper portion (62) having an annular seat (63) open on the top, having a rest surface (64) lying horizontally for the connection flange (4). The connection body (60) further comprises a substantially cylindrical wall (65) which extends beneath the annular seat (63), and which comprises a guide element (66) suitable to guide at least a portion of the flange (4) from a lower free edge (67) of the connection body (60) to the annular seat (63). Furthermore the guide element (66) comprises means (68) suitable to prevent the flange (4) from slipping out of the annular seat (63) once it has been guided therein, so that the connection means (6) steadily fasten the bag (1) to the ring cap element (5) at least with respect to vertical movements or downwards rotatory movements of the bag (1) with respect to the ring cap element (5).