Multi-Film Thermoplastic Bag Grab Zones for Tear Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thinner gauge thermoplastic films used to reduce production costs result in lower durability and perceived quality, leading to issues like tearing and puncturing, which affect consumer perception and product value.

Innovation Solution

Multi-layer thermoplastic bags with contact areas between adjacent films, enhancing stiffness and providing tactile and visual cues of strength in the grab zone, thereby reinforcing the bag's top and reducing tearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If thinner gauge thermoplastic films are used to reduce production costs, then manufacturing cost decreases, but durability and perceived quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple thermoplastic films (first film and second film) into a multi-film structure. This composite construction provides enhanced strength and durability compared to single thin films, while still allowing cost reduction through the use of thinner individual film layers. The contact areas between adjacent films create regions of reinforced strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating contact areas between adjacent films at specific locations (grab zones, top portions, bottom portions, and side portions of sidewalls). These localized contact areas provide reinforced strength where it is most needed for durability and handling, while the rest of the film can remain thin to reduce overall material cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If thinner gauge thermoplastic films are used to reduce production costs, then manufacturing cost decreases, but perceived quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidperceived quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes color changes or visual differences in the contact areas between adjacent films to provide visual cues of strength and quality. The contact areas may appear different (e.g., darker, more opaque, or with a distinct pattern) compared to non-contact areas, giving consumers visual feedback that these regions are reinforced and stronger, thereby improving perceived quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Loss of substance

If thinner gauge thermoplastic films are used to reduce production costs, then material usage decreases, but resistance to tearing and puncturing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidresistance to tearing and puncturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If contact areas are created between adjacent films to reinforce the grab zone, then strength and durability improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength and durabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple films into a single multi-film structure where the films are bonded together at contact areas. This integration allows the structure to provide reinforced strength at specific locations without requiring separate reinforcement components or additional complex mechanisms. The contact areas are formed by bonding adjacent films directly to each other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12600527B2Multi-film thermoplastic bags having contact areas

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 GLAD PRODUCTS CO

AI summary

One or more implementations of a multi-film thermoplastic bag with a grab zone of contact areas positioned in a high-touch area of the bag. For example, the multi-film thermoplastic bag includes one or more regions of a first film in contact with a second film at one or more contact areas. The grab zone regions of one or more contact areas are located in visible and high-touch areas to provide visual and tactile cues of strength and durability. Moreover, the grab zone regions of one or more contact areas serve to distribute pull and lift forces across a wider area in order to avoid common failures in high-touch areas such as over stretching, punctures, tears, and rips.