Consumable Bitumen Bag for Residue-Free Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for packaging and transporting bitumen are energy-intensive, lead to residue wastage, and result in leakages and handling hazards, with a need for a clean, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution for storing and transporting bitumen in cold form.
Innovation Solution
A method for forming bitumen bags by melting a compound containing natural bitumen and synthetic rubber polymer, extruding it through nozzles onto a mould, and then immersing the mould in a water bath to create a bitumen bag that can be filled and sealed with a hot patch, allowing for efficient and safe handling and transportation of bitumen in blocks or slabs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bitumen is stored in heated tanks and vessels, then it can be maintained in liquid form for easy handling, but energy consumption increases and storage costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from elevated (120-160°C) to ambient temperature, allowing bitumen to be stored in solid/semi-solid form without energy input while maintaining handleability through alternative packaging methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable bags made of consumable materials that dissolve or melt with the bitumen, eliminating the need for expensive, energy-intensive heated storage infrastructure while enabling easy handling at ambient temperature
2Use of energy by moving object
If bitumen is stored cold in steel drums, then energy consumption is reduced, but residue wastage increases due to high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses consumable bags that dissolve or melt with the bitumen, allowing complete extraction of the viscous material without the 3% residue loss typical of steel drums. The bags are designed to be consumed along with the product, eliminating waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the packaging material properties to be consumable and miscible with bitumen, transforming the packaging from a permanent container leaving residues to a temporary carrier that fully integrates with and releases the product completely
3Ease of operation
If bitumen is packed in polyethylene or polypropylene bags, then handling at ambient temperature is enabled, but leakages occur during handling and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses packaging material that is homogeneous or miscible with the bitumen content, creating a unified system where the packaging and product become compatible, eliminating the interface problems that cause leakage in conventional plastic bag systems
Solution Approach 2:
The consumable packaging material is designed to be consumed or dissolved along with the bitumen, providing reliable containment during handling and transport while enabling complete product extraction without residue or leakage issues
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional packaging materials are used, then they do not integrate with bitumen, but they require additional removal steps and create environmental waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable packaging made of consumable materials that dissolve or melt with the bitumen, eliminating the need for removal steps and preventing environmental waste. The packaging is designed to be consumed along with the product, leaving no persistent waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical properties of the packaging material to be miscible or consumable with bitumen, transforming it from a permanent waste-generating container to a temporary carrier that fully integrates with and disappears into the product, eliminating environmental waste
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 method enables energy-saving, residue-free, and leak-proof packaging of bitumen, enhancing its durability and handling safety while minimizing environmental impact and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
melting a bitumen compound containing 10 to 30% by weight of natural bitumen and 5 to 25% by weight of a synthetic rubber polymer
Implementation Method 2
moving the expanded mould into a water bath, reducing the mould volume and withdrawing the mould from the water bath
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a method (600, 600a) of forming bitumen bags (605) for packaging bitumen products into blocks or slabs. Each block/slab of bitumen (200,200a,200b,200c) is encapsulated in the bitumen bag, which is composed of a bitumen compound (160). The bitumen compound (160) is made up of about 10-30% by weight of natural bitumen and about 5-25% by weight of a synthetic rubber polymer and copolymers. The bitumen compound (160) is melted with the bitumen content and is fully miscible with the molten bitumen, leaving no residue but enhances the physical properties of the resultant bitumen mixture.