Bag Stand With Interlocking Side Panels For Flexible Refuse Bags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filling refuse bags with non-solid items like leaves or sticks is difficult due to their flexibility and tendency to collapse, often requiring two hands.
Innovation Solution
A bag stand that supports and holds open a refuse bag vertically, allowing users to fill it without manual support, comprising connected side panels with a connection mechanism that keeps the bag open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a refuse bag is made flexible and non-rigid, then it is easier to handle and store, but it collapses when attempting to fill it with non-solid items
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid support structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the flexible refuse bag and the user's hands. This support structure maintains the bag's openness during filling operations while allowing the bag itself to remain flexible for handling and storage. The support structure acts as a mediator that compensates for the bag's lack of rigidity without requiring the bag to be rigid.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into multiple segments or panels that can be assembled to form a stable framework. This segmentation allows the support structure to achieve rigidity through geometric arrangement rather than material properties, enabling it to maintain the bag's shape while the bag material remains flexible.
2Ease of operation
If a user manually holds the refuse bag open to fill it, then the bag can be filled with non-solid items, but it requires two hands and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to automatically maintain the bag in an open position without requiring continuous manual intervention. Once the bag is placed on the support structure, it self-maintains its open state, allowing the user to focus solely on the filling action with one hand, thereby increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure serves as an intermediary device that takes over the function of holding the bag open, freeing both of the user's hands for the filling task. This mediator device enables continuous filling operations without the need for manual bag stabilization.
3Ease of operation
If a rigid support structure is used to hold the refuse bag open, then the bag can be filled easily, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure utilizes thin-walled panels or shells that provide sufficient rigidity for structural support while minimizing material usage and overall complexity. These thin-walled structures achieve the necessary stiffness through geometric design rather than thick materials, reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into modular segments that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity and allows for simple connection mechanisms, making the overall device less complex while maintaining its functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A subpanel for a bag stand includes: a first side panel and a second side panel, each of the first side panel and the second side panel including a top end, a bottom end, two side ends, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a thickness defined from the inner surface to the outer surface. The first side panel additionally includes a connection finger, the connection finger connected to a first side end of the two side ends of the first side panel, the connection finger including a clearance portion and a clasp portion. The second side panel is at least indirectly connected to the first side panel and defines a connection recess in a first side end of the two side ends of the second side panel distal from the first side panel, the connection recess including a clearance portion and a lock portion.