Freezing mould bag

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current freezing mould bags either lack the security of self-closing functionality when filled under pressure or the ease of knot closure, with existing self-closing bags requiring orientation changes and knot tie bags not allowing expansion chambers due to material weakening placement.

Innovation Solution

A freezing mould bag design featuring expansion chambers formed outside the peripheral joint at the top, with material weakenings running from the side edge at an angle to the filling duct, enabling communication with freezing mould compartments and allowing for knot closure, while maintaining self-closing functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If material weakenings are placed at the top of the bag for knot closure, then easy knot tying is achieved, but expansion chambers cannot be formed due to joint placement constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveknot closureVSAvoidexpansion chamber formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bag is divided into distinct functional zones: expansion chambers are formed in the upper portion between the filling duct and material weakenings, while the lower portion maintains continuous joints for structural integrity. This segmentation allows both expansion chambers and knot closure to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The material weakenings are positioned at an angle relative to the filling duct, creating a diagonal arrangement that accommodates both the expansion chamber geometry and the knot-tying functionality. This angular positioning resolves the spatial conflict between the two features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the bag is filled under pressure, then filling speed is improved, but joints at freezing mould compartments are at risk of breaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling speedVSAvoidjoint integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Expansion chambers are formed in advance at the upper portion of the bag to act as cushioning spaces that absorb pressure fluctuations during filling. These pre-formed chambers reduce peak pressures transmitted to the joints at the freezing mould compartments, preventing joint failure while maintaining fast filling speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If self-closing valve flaps are provided at the filling duct, then spillage is reduced when turned upside down, but the bag requires orientation changes to function

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovespillageVSAvoidorientation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closing valve flaps are pre-positioned at the filling duct opening to automatically seal the bag when turned upside down. The expansion chambers are also pre-formed to contain liquid even before the valve flaps engage, providing an additional layer of spillage prevention that works independently of bag orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If expansion chambers are formed, then pressure absorption during filling is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure absorptionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion chambers are formed using the existing flexible film material of the bag itself, rather than adding rigid structural components. The chambers are created by strategically placing material weakenings and joints that allow the flexible film to form volumetric expansion spaces, maintaining simplicity while providing pressure absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 provides secure self-closing and knot closure options, reducing spillage and facilitating easy filling and emptying, particularly in dot-bags where individual joints are at risk of breaking under pressure.

Implementation Method 1

a material weakening of the superposed film pieces for establishing a severing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress concentration: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

expansion chambers formed at one or both sides of the filling duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure absorption: Hydraulic Accumulator

Implementation Method 3

closing valve flaps connected by the film pieces at the filling opening and extending from the filling opening into the interior of the bag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven sealing: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP2961662B1Freezing mould bag
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 SILVEX - IND DE PLASTICOS E PAPEIS
  • EP2961662B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2961662B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A freezing mould bag is described. The bag is formed of two sheet-shaped film pieces which are welded together for forming freezing mould compartments. A filling duct is delimited by separate joints, enabling filling of the inner compartment of the bag. There are provided closing valve flaps that are connected with the film pieces at the filling opening in such a way that two closing pockets, which open towards the inner compartment of the bag, are provided. The joints at the freezing mould compartments are broken for establishing communication with an expansion chamber which is delimited by further joints of the two film pieces. With the object of using such a self-closing bag as a knot tie bag, the freezing mould bag is provided with a material weakening of the superposed film pieces at each their side of the filling duct. The material weakenings are provided at an angle relative to the joint delimiting the freezing mould compartments. Thus it is possible to have expansion chambers at a position under the material weakenings. The material weakening runs from the side edges of the freezing mould compartment to a position near the mouth of the filling duct in the inner compartment. By such a freezing mould bag, application as a self-closing bag or a knot tie bag is possible.