Resealable Bag With Inelastic Deformable Polymer Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible packaging solutions fail to maintain food freshness after opening due to ineffective integrated closing mechanisms, which are often expensive, faulty, or difficult to use, especially for children, elderly, and the general population.
Innovation Solution
A resealable bag with an integrated, low-cost closing mechanism featuring a flexible member that can be deformed to maintain a sealed position, allowing easy and repeated opening and closing without additional clips or ties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an integrated closing mechanism is included in flexible packaging, then the bag can maintain a closed position, but the mechanism is often expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the polymer material by incorporating a plasticizer into the polymer matrix. This parameter change transforms the polymer from a rigid state to a flexible, deformable state that can be easily shaped and molded into closing mechanisms during the bag manufacturing process, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliable closed position
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining polymer with plasticizer to form a deformable polymer composition. This composite material exhibits both structural integrity for maintaining closed position and enhanced processability for cost-effective manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture
2Reliability
If an integrated closing mechanism is included in flexible packaging, then the bag can maintain a closed position, but the mechanism is difficult to use for children, elderly people, and the general population
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the mechanical parameters of the polymer by adding plasticizer, which reduces the glass transition temperature and increases chain mobility. This results in a softer, more compliant closing mechanism that requires less force to operate, making it accessible to children, elderly people, and individuals with limited hand strength while still maintaining reliable sealing
3Reliability
If a non-integrated closing mechanism is used with flexible packaging, then the bag can be closed, but the mechanism does not function properly and breaks throughout the life of the items being stored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the closing mechanism with the bag body itself by forming an integrated structure during manufacturing. The deformable polymer closing mechanism is seamlessly incorporated into the bag walls, eliminating separate components that could detach or fail. This unified structure ensures the closing function remains reliable throughout the entire lifespan of the bag contents
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material of polymer and plasticizer creates a closing mechanism with optimized mechanical properties - sufficient strength to maintain seal integrity over time while maintaining flexibility for repeated opening and closing operations, thereby extending the functional lifespan of the closing mechanism to match the duration of the stored items
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 resealable bag effectively keeps contents fresh by maintaining a sealed position, is easy to use, and adaptable throughout the life of the items, reducing spills and unused space.
Implementation Method 1
an inelastic deformable polymer for a resealable bag includes an admixture of: an oil; a chain extender; a biodegradable polymer; and a cross linking agent
Data Source
AI summary
The resealable bag has a main body including a resealing layer. The resealable bag is selectively positionable between an open, unsealed position and a closed, sealed position. When the resealable bag is in the closed, sealed position, the resealing layer is in a deformed shape. Advantageously, the resealable bag can be repeatedly rolled and sealed, and unrolled and unsealed, as desired without the use of additional integrated or non-integrated sealing mechanisms.