Big Bag Outer Liner for Contamination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for bulk material storage and transport, such as big bags, face contamination issues during filling and emptying, particularly due to external contamination entering the container, which is undesirable in high-care environments.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring an outer bag that envelops the inner bag with a stitched or releasable fastening mechanism at the upper edge, allowing for easy removal of the outer bag, reducing contamination risks and enabling efficient transfer to high-care environments, while also providing protection and facilitating automation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the container is filled without an outer bag, then the filling process is simpler and faster, but contamination can occur during filling and transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is divided into two distinct parts: an inner bag for holding bulk material and an outer bag for protection during transport and filling. This segmentation allows the inner bag to remain clean while the outer bag handles contamination exposure, resolving the contradiction between filling efficiency and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer bag acts as an intermediary protective layer between the inner bag and the external environment. It shields the inner bag from contamination during transport and filling operations, enabling efficient filling processes without compromising product purity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the outer bag is tightly secured to the inner bag, then contamination is prevented, but the outer bag becomes difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidouter bag removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening means provide dynamic adjustability - they secure the outer bag firmly during transport to prevent contamination, but can be easily released when needed. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The separation of the outer bag and inner bag through detachable fastening means allows independent handling of each component. The outer bag can be removed and disposed of while the clean inner bag is transferred to the high-care environment, balancing contamination prevention with operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the inner bag is exposed during transport, then the container is easier to fill, but the inner bag is vulnerable to contamination and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling accessibilityVSAvoidinner bag protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inner bag is nested within the outer bag, allowing the container to be filled through the outer bag's opening while the inner bag remains protected. This nested structure enables filling accessibility while maintaining the reliability and protection of the inner bag throughout transport and handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3492405B1Container for storage and transport of bulk material, filling system and method therefor
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 VREUGDENHIL GROEP BV
  • EP3492405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3492405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3492405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a container (10) for storing and/or transporting bulk material, in particular a so-called "big bag". The container for storing and/or transporting bulk material comprises: - a bag (18) configured to hold the bulk material; - at least one filling and/or emptying opening arranged in the bag; - an upper edge arranged on or close to the opening; - an outer bag (20) substantially enveloping the bag as an outer liner; and - fastening means (26, 28) for fastening the outer bag to the upper edge, wherein the outer bag at least partially comprises a substantially transparent wall for the purpose of checking for contamination.