Bendable Planar Sheet Bag Support with Elastic Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Filling and handling plastic bags, especially with fluid or stiff items, is difficult due to the flexible nature of the bags, often resulting in spills and contamination, as it requires manual effort to hold the opening and manage contents.

Innovation Solution

A plastic bag support device comprising a bendable planar sheet with an insertion end, receptor, maintaining mechanism, storage clasp, and deployment clasp, allowing the sheet to be stretched and formed into a cylinder to hold open the plastic bag for easy filling and emptying, with a maintaining mechanism like elastic string to secure the configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual holding of plastic bag opening is used, then the bag can be filled, but it requires two hands and increases difficulty of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of filling plastic bagVSAvoidmanual dexterity requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support device as an intermediary tool between the user and the plastic bag. This device includes a support surface and a retaining structure that holds the bag opening steady, allowing the user to fill the bag with one hand without needing to manually hold the opening with both hands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support device is designed to automatically retain the plastic bag opening through its retaining structure, which engages with the bag opening and holds it in place without requiring continuous manual intervention. The device serves itself by maintaining the bag in the correct position throughout the filling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If fluid items are poured into plastic bag, then filling is faster, but spills and contamination increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling speedVSAvoidspills and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support device acts as an intermediary stabilization system between the pouring action and the plastic bag. The retaining structure provides a stable engagement point that prevents the bag from moving or deforming during fluid pouring, thereby preventing spills and contamination while maintaining filling speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support device prepares and stabilizes the bag opening before the filling process begins. The retaining structure is already in place to cushion and prevent any sudden movements or deformations that could cause spills when fluid items are poured into the bag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If plastic bag opening is held open manually, then filling is possible, but cleaning time increases due to soiling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to hold bag openVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support device serves as an intermediary that takes over the function of holding the bag opening open, freeing the user's hands and preventing contact between hands and the bag opening. This prevents soiling and eliminates the need for cleaning, saving time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If rigid support structure is used, then bag stability is improved, but portability and storage difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebag support stabilityVSAvoidportability and storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support device incorporates dynamic characteristics by being collapsible or foldable. The support surface and retaining structure can be adjusted or folded into a compact form for portability and easy storage, while maintaining rigid stability when deployed to support the plastic bag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables hands-free operation when filling or emptying plastic bags, reducing spills and contamination, and allows for convenient storage by rolling up the device when not in use.

Implementation Method 1

A maintaining mechanism that is made of a loop of elastic string has ends passing through holes in the planar sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11801975B1Storable plastic bag support apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 DECOSMO JR MICHAEL A

AI summary

A plastic bag support device includes a planar sheet that is made of a material. The material is bendable by human force (e.g., made of plastic or aluminum). The planar sheet has an insertion end at the first end and a receptor at a second end that is opposite the first end. A maintaining mechanism is affixed to the planar sheet between the first end and the second end. A storage clasp is affixed to the planar sheet between the first end and the second end, and a deployment clasp is affixed to the planar sheet between the first end and the storage clasp. In a storage configuration, the insertion end is disengaged with the receptor and the maintaining mechanism is engaged with the storage clasp and in a deployed configuration, the insertion end is engaged with the receptor and the maintaining mechanism is engaged with the deployment clasp.