Bag Notching Mechanism for Easy-Open Reclosable Tape

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reclosable-tape-having bags require significant force to open, making them difficult for the elderly and children to use, and the existing solutions do not adequately address the issue of easy opening and resealing without damaging the bag contents.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing device that includes a notching instrument to form a tab and incision on the side seal of the bag, allowing the bag to be opened with minimal force by pinching the tab, which is connected to the incision, facilitating easy opening and resealing without requiring the removal of the mounting base.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the male fastener and lower film are simultaneously ripped off when the tab is pulled up, then the bag can be opened, but a great force is required making it difficult for the elderly and children to use

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of opening the bagVSAvoidForce required to open the bag
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the opening action into two separate stages: first ripping only the upper film (easy-open structure), then subsequently ripping the mounting base and lower film. This segmentation allows the opening process to be broken down into manageable steps with different force requirements, making the initial opening easy for all users while maintaining secure attachment where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a preliminary incision in the lower film and mounting base before the actual opening occurs. This pre-cut structure prepares the path for subsequent ripping, allowing the upper film to be separated first with minimal force, and the mounting base to be ripped off later in a controlled manner without requiring excessive force from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Force

If scissors are required to open the bag, then the bag can be opened without great force, but user convenience is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveForce required to open the bagVSAvoidUser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the bag to perform its own opening function through the easy-open structure. The tab and incision arrangement allows users to simply pull the tab to initiate the opening process, and the structure automatically guides the ripping action through the upper film and subsequently the mounting base, eliminating the need for external tools like scissors while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If a notch is provided at the side seal for opening reference, then users can locate the opening position, but it is highly difficult to open the bag levelly along the dotted line by hands

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOpening position indicationVSAvoidEase of opening along the line
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tab as an intermediary element that connects the user's pulling action to the opening process. Instead of requiring users to manually follow a dotted line, the tab serves as a physical guide and force applicator that automatically follows the predetermined incision path, ensuring level opening without requiring manual precision from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1889710B1Device and method for manufacturing bag with chuck tape
Publication Date: 2014.05.21 IDEMITSU UNITECH CO LTD
  • EP1889710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1889710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1889710B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A manufacturing device for manufacturing a reclosable-tape-having bag manufactures a reclosable-tape-having bag in which a reclosable tape is mounted on an inner surface of a bag body 10 while an open tape 23 for ripping and opening the bag body 10 is provided between a mounting base 212 and an upper film 11 of the bag body 10. The manufacturing device for manufacturing the reclosable-tape-having bag includes a notching instrument 110 for forming a notch on the bag body 10. The notching instrument 110 includes: a whole-notching instrument 110A for punching the upper film 11, a lower film 12, the open tape 23 and the mounting base 212 to form a tab on a side seal of the bag body 10; and a half-notching instrument 110B for forming an incision on the lower film 12 and a portion of the mounting base 212 corresponding to a position of the open tape 23.