Foldable Bag Flexible Frame System Resolving Storage Protection Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bags lack a balance between providing adequate protection and easy access while being collapsible and easy to store, as they either have structure-less soft sides that collapse or rigid sides that are difficult to store when not in use, and conventional structure forming frames are difficult to bend and collapse.
Innovation Solution
A foldable utility bag with a flexible structure forming frame system that integrates with a soft-sided bag, using flexible yet reflexive frame members made of materials like nylon, steel, or fiberglass, which can be bent and provide structural definition, protection, and collapse for easier storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If soft sided bags are made wholly with pliable materials to allow flexible storage, then the bag can be easily folded and stored, but the sides collapse and do not provide adequate protection or structural form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining pliable bag materials with structure forming frames made of materials like nylon, steel, or fiberglass. This composite structure allows the bag to maintain flexibility for storage while the frame provides structural form and protection when expanded
Solution Approach 2:
The structure forming frame is designed to be dynamic, transitioning between expanded and collapsed states. The frame members are flexible enough to allow the bag to be folded for storage but provide structural support when expanded, enabling the bag to adapt between two functional states
2Reliability
If hard or stiff sides are used to maintain open inner cavities and provide protection, then the bag provides greater protection and easier access, but the bag becomes difficult to store due to increased storage space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The structure forming frame transforms the static hard-sided bag into a dynamic structure that can transition between expanded (providing protection and access) and collapsed (enabling compact storage) states. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between protection and storability
3Adaptability or versatility
If continuous framing members are bent or contorted to provide structural form, then the frame can adapt to different shapes, but the tension transfers easily between frame members making the structure difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous framing member is segmented into multiple discrete frame members that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation reduces the complexity of manufacturing each individual member while maintaining the overall shape adaptability of the complete frame structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the frame structure have different properties - some frame members are designed to be flexible for bending and contorting, while others are designed to be rigid for maintaining structural form. This local differentiation of properties allows the frame to achieve both shape adaptability and manufacturing ease
4Reliability
If conventional structure forming frames are made rigid to maintain form, then the frame provides structural integrity, but the frame cannot be collapsed for easy storage
Solution Approach 1:
The structure forming frame is designed with dynamic properties, allowing it to transition between rigid (maintaining structural integrity) and flexible (allowing collapse for storage) states. This is achieved through selective placement of flexible and rigid frame members that work together to provide both structural support and collapsibility
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 flexible frame system allows for easier loading and protection of contents, maintains structural integrity, and collapses for compact storage, automatically resuming its expanded form when needed, addressing the limitations of both soft and hard-sided bags.
Implementation Method 1
certain elasticity is required. Elasticity depends on the contents and formation of materials in the structure forming frame
Implementation Method 2
embodiments of structure forming frame members that provide varying levels of restorative force that aid in providing a desired resiliency to the bag body
Data Source
AI summary
Soft sided bags having a flexible frame system are disclosed and described herein. A plurality of structure forming frame members engage guides in the bag body to provide the soft sided bag with a resilient structure, and to further provide content protection and accessibility. Soft sided bag may use structure forming frame members with varying levels of stiffness to provide a desired structure to the soft sided bag. A unique structure forming frame member is disclosed which includes an outer sheath and inner rod that gives the bag body structure, durability, flexibility, resiliency, and differing degrees of restorative force along one continuous member. Various non-limiting configurations are disclosed that provide the soft sided bag with a desired shape as well as the ability to collapse to smaller configurations.