Gusset Bag Zipper Access Through a Fin-Seal Tear Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gusset bags often lack tear strips due to the structural complexities introduced by gusset panels, making it difficult to integrate tear strips without compromising the bag's integrity or increasing production costs, and they are less convenient for repeated access.
Innovation Solution
A gusset bag design with a zipper assembly that includes a tear strip integrated into the fin seal, allowing the tear strip to be grasped and pulled to create an opening in the front panel, providing access to the zipper assembly while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If side gussets are added to increase bag volume, then the interior volume of the bag is increased, but it becomes difficult to provide an opening for the tear strip without cutting through multiple sides
Solution Approach 1:
The bag is divided into distinct panels (front panel, rear panel, and side gussets) that are joined at edges. The tear strip opening is localized to only the front panel, segmenting the opening function from the gusset structure. This allows the gussets to provide volume while the front panel alone accommodates the tear strip, resolving the conflict between volume and opening complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a tear strip is integrated into the fin seal between front panel and gusset panel, then the tear strip provides easy access to the zipper assembly, but the structural integrity of the fin seal must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The fin seal is pre-formed between the front panel and gusset panel edges before the tear strip opening is created. This preliminary sealing establishes the structural connection, and the subsequent tear strip opening through the front panel does not compromise this pre-established seal. The seal is prepared in advance to withstand the opening action.
3Ease of operation
If the tear strip head is disposed in the fin seal, then the tear strip can be pulled through the front panel to provide access, but the fin seal structure must accommodate this head positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The fin seal acts as an intermediary structure that houses the tear strip head. By positioning the tear strip head within the fin seal, the seal serves as a mediator that both secures the tear strip mechanism and maintains the structural connection between panels. This intermediary role simplifies manufacturing by integrating the tear strip head placement into the existing fin seal formation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A gusset bag can include a front panel, a rear panel, and first and second gusset panels that extend around an interior volume. The front panel and the first gusset panel can be coupled with each other by a fin seal. A zipper assembly can be coupled with the front panel and at least a portion of the first gusset panel that is coupled with the front panel by the fin seal. The zipper assembly can include a tear strip having a head that can be grasped and pulled to pull the tear strip through at least the front panel to tear an opening through the front panel to provide access to the zipper assembly. The head of the tear strip can be disposed in the fin seal between the front panel and the first gusset panel.