Multi-compartment Bag Partition Seal and Closure Tracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for pouches and bags with multiple compartments and a closure device to efficiently package and separate different food items, such as cheese and meat, while minimizing packaging costs and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

A multi-compartment sealable bag with a closure system featuring mating closure tracks and a partition seal, allowing for separation of compartments, which can be formed from various materials like polyethylene, and utilizing a zipper apparatus for easy sealing and opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate packages are used for different food items, then each item can be individually protected, but packaging material usage and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of food itemsVSAvoidpackaging material usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The bag is divided into multiple compartments by partition walls, creating separate sealed spaces for different food items within a single package. This segmentation allows individual protection of each item while using one shared package structure, reducing total packaging material compared to multiple separate packages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple food items that would traditionally require separate packages are combined into a single multi-compartment bag. The separate compartments maintain physical separation and protection for each item, while the shared outer package structure reduces overall material usage and packaging costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of substance

If a single package contains multiple food items, then packaging material usage is reduced, but different items may contaminate each other

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging material usageVSAvoidcontamination between items

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional sealing methods are used for multi-compartment bags, then manufacturing is simpler, but sealing reliability and separation effectiveness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system uses movable closure members that can slide along the closure tracks to dynamically open and seal the bag. This dynamic mechanism provides reliable sealing control for each compartment while maintaining compatibility with standard heat sealing processes used in manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Closure tracks and closure members act as intermediary elements between the user's manual sealing action and the actual seal formation. These intermediaries guide the sealing process and ensure consistent, reliable seals across all compartments while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 multi-compartment bag effectively separates and protects different food items within a single package, optimizing packaging materials usage, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact through efficient sealing and separation capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

the partition seal includes a heat seal between the first wall and the second wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat seal:

Implementation Method 2

the closure device is configured to slidably join and mate mating closure tracks formed on two sides of an open end of the bag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener:

Data Source

PatentUS20200010248A1Multi-compartment sealable bag apparatus and methods of manufacture thereof

Publication Date: 2020.01.09 NEW YORK PACKAGING II LLC

AI summary

A multi-compartment bag includes a first bag wall; a second bag wall aligned and joined to the first bag wall at a first sealed side edge, a second sealed side edge, a sealed bottom edge, and an unsealed top edge; a first closure track formed in the first bag wall at the top edge; a second closure track formed in the second bag wall at the top edge and configured to mate with the first closure track; a partition seal interposing and extending parallel to the first sealed side edge and the second sealed side edge.