Mechanically Engageable Bag Stabilizers for Upright Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bag holders and support systems for foldable or collapsible bags are cumbersome, require frequent removal and reattachment, and often fail due to wear and tear, making it difficult to maintain the bag's open and upright position, especially when loading items.
Innovation Solution
Mechanically engageable bag stabilizers with tabular members that can be removably or permanently attached to the bag's crease lines, allowing the bag to remain open and upright without needing constant reattachment, and can be easily disengaged for folding or collapsing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional bag holders and support systems are used to maintain bag upright position, then the bag can remain open and upright, but the systems are cumbersome and require frequent removal and reattachment
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer is divided into multiple tabular members that can be independently attached to different crease lines of the bag. Each tabular member functions as an independent stabilizing element, allowing selective attachment and detachment without affecting the entire stabilizer system, thereby reducing the frequency of complete removal and reattachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabular members are pre-configured with attachment mechanisms designed to engage with specific crease lines of the bag. This preliminary design allows for quick attachment and detachment operations, eliminating the need for complex adjustment procedures and reducing the time and effort required for each attachment cycle.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional support systems are used, then bag open position is maintained, but the systems often fail due to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex support system, the invention distributes stabilizing function across multiple simple tabular members attached at different locations (crease lines) of the bag. This localization of function reduces stress concentration on any single component, minimizing wear and tear and improving overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabular members are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if damaged. Their straightforward construction and attachment mechanisms make them more durable than complex traditional systems, and their low cost allows for easy replacement if wear does occur, effectively eliminating reliability concerns.
3Strength
If mechanically engageable bag stabilizers are used, then bag structural integrity is maintained during loading, but the stabilizers require attachment to crease lines
Solution Approach 1:
The tabular members are designed with self-aligning attachment mechanisms that automatically engage with the bag's crease lines through natural bag folding actions. The crease lines themselves guide the attachment process, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or additional attachment hardware, thus maintaining simple device complexity while providing strong structural support.
4Ease of operation
If stabilizers are permanently attached to maintain bag position, then ease of use is improved, but the bag cannot be folded or collapsed
Solution Approach 1:
The tabular members are attached in a way that allows them to move dynamically with the bag's folding and collapsing motions. The attachment to crease lines enables the stabilizers to flex and reposition as the bag changes shape, maintaining ease of use during normal operations while fully preserving the bag's collapsibility for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
When the bag is collapsed, the tabular members nest within the folded structure of the bag, utilizing the same crease lines for storage. This nesting capability allows the stabilizers to remain attached permanently without interfering with the bag's collapsing function, as they become part of the compressed folded structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Mechanically engageable bag stabilizers having a first and second tabular member, a first and second engagement portion disposed thereon, an attachment portion disposed on each tabular member, and an engageable member that allows for mechanical engageability of the tabular members with each other and which may be located on either entirely on one engagement portion or partially upon both engagement portions. Depending upon the embodiment, the mechanically engageable bag stabilizers may be securably and removably attached to the bag proximal its mouth or the stabilizers may be affixed proximal the mouth. This attachment or affixation may be on the bag's interior, exterior, or areas of both. The engageable member is contemplated herein as embodying at least a separable hinge member, a frictive or magnetic interconnecting member, a slideable member, a fastenable member, or a bend-and-snap member. Wherein any such engageable member is capable of maintaining a bag's open mouth structure.