Flexible Plastic Container Barrier Rib Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible plastic containers for biological fluids, particularly in medical and pharmaceutical use, face issues with suspension means that are prone to tearing, leading to a risk of the container falling when suspended.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a suspension opening with a reinforcing rib and a barrier rib surrounding it, formed during the manufacturing process using welding, to enhance resistance to breakage and prevent tear propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a suspension opening is made in the bag to enable hanging, then the container can be suspended, but the risk of tearing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuspension capabilityVSAvoidtear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a reinforced region around the suspension opening. A rib structure is formed at the perimeter of the suspension opening, concentrating material in this specific area to provide enhanced strength where needed. This allows the suspension opening to maintain its functionality while resisting tearing forces during suspension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining the base flexible sheet material with an additional rib element. The rib is formed as part of the wall structure, creating a composite construction where the rib reinforces the suspension opening. This composite approach combines the flexibility of the base material with the structural strength of the rib to prevent tearing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the suspension opening perimeter includes a weld bead to prevent tearing, then tear resistance improves, but the weld line may still be insufficient to prevent tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetear resistanceVSAvoidweld line adequacy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the local quality at the suspension opening by adding a rib structure that concentrates material specifically at the perimeter. This rib provides superior tear resistance compared to a weld bead alone, directly addressing the insufficiency of conventional weld lines while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a reinforcing rib is added at the suspension opening perimeter, then tear resistance improves, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetear resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rib structure with the container wall itself, forming an integrated construction where the rib is created as part of the sealing process. This integration eliminates the need for separate reinforcement components or complex assembly steps, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining tear resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rib structure is formed during the initial sealing process rather than as a subsequent addition. By creating the rib as part of the peripheral seal formation, the patent performs the reinforcement action preliminarily, avoiding later complex operations and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design significantly reduces the risk of the container falling by providing enhanced structural integrity at the suspension point, ensuring secure suspension without tearing.

Implementation Method 1

two flexible sheets joined together along a peripheral joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

a barrier rib surrounding said suspension opening at a distance, said barrier rib rising to a height of 0.7 to 1.4 mm from the surface of one of said flexible sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical reinforcement: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4140466B1Flexible plastic container intended for holding a fluid
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 MACO PHARMA SA
  • EP4140466B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4140466B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a container (1) for containing a fluid comprising an outer casing (2) having two flexible sheets joined together (3,4) along a peripheral joint (5) so as to define an internal compartment (6) containing or intended to contain a fluid, said container (1) further having an upper part (7) and a lower part (8) between which the internal compartment (6) is placed, said lower part having a suspension opening (11) for suspending said container (1), characterized in that said lower part (8) further comprises a barrier rib (15) surrounding at a distance said suspension opening (11), said barrier rib (15) rising from the surface of one of said flexible sheets (3,4), to a height of two to three times the thickness of the peripheral joint in the lower part of the container,