Flexible Sheet Discharge Chute for Debris Bagging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting and depositing debris, such as leaves or construction materials, into bags are inefficient, requiring repeated lifting and dropping of small amounts into open bags, which can be difficult to keep upright and open during filling.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a flexible sheet with a central opening forming a discharge chute and clips to secure a bag around the chute, allowing for easy collection and transfer of debris into a bag without the need for constant lifting and dropping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If debris is collected and deposited into a bag using traditional methods (lifting and dropping small amounts), then the bag can be filled, but the process requires considerable time and effort and must be repeated multiple times
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheet is segmented into a collection area and a discharge chute, allowing debris to be collected in one location and discharged as a larger quantity into the bag, reducing the number of lifting operations needed
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge chute acts as an intermediary device between the collection area and the bag, enabling efficient transfer of debris from the sheet to the bag in larger amounts rather than small incremental amounts
2Ease of operation
If a bag is kept open during filling, then debris can be deposited into it, but the bag is difficult to keep upright and open during the filling process
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge chute serves as a stabilizing intermediary structure that the bag can be positioned around, providing structural support that helps keep the bag upright and stable during the filling process
Solution Approach 2:
The bag is preliminarily positioned around the discharge chute before filling begins, establishing a stable configuration that maintains bag orientation throughout the debris deposition process
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single individual fills the bag alone, then no assistance is needed, but it is very difficult to keep the bag upright and open without someone to hold it
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge chute acts as a self-supporting intermediary structure that eliminates the need for a second person to hold the bag, as the chute provides the structural support needed to keep the bag upright during filling
Solution Approach 2:
The system becomes self-supporting through the discharge chute structure, which inherently provides the stability needed to hold the bag upright without requiring external assistance from another person
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a flexible sheet of material having a perimeter edge and a central opening forming a discharge chute, and first and second clips coupled to the flexible sheet for securing an open end of a bag around an outer circumferential surface of the discharge chute, wherein the first and second clips are spaced apart about the outer circumferential surface of the discharge chute. With the discharge chut inserted into the bag and the bag secured to the clips, the flexible sheet is laid on the group and debris or other solid materials may be raked, shoveled, or otherwise placed on the flexible sheet. Raising the flexible sheet, such as by lifting with handles around a perimeter edge, causes the debris to pass through the discharge chute and into the bag. The size of the apparatus may be adapted for the application, such as leaf collection or sandbag preparation.