Portable Plastic Enclosure Sealing Apparatus with Integrated Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers for transporting condiments, snacks, and personal products are cumbersome, require frequent washing, and occupy significant space, while conventional bags are ineffective for liquid products and come in fixed sizes, failing to properly fit various items such as spices.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus and method for sealing a plastic enclosure using pivotally coupled elements with a heating element to melt plastic layers, forming a seal, and optionally a cutting element to create an opening, allowing for adjustable sizing and efficient use of space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional plastic containers are used for transporting products, then products can be stored, but the containers are cumbersome to carry around and take up large amounts of cabinet space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from rigid conventional containers to a flexible plastic sheet that can be dynamically shaped and sealed into various container configurations. The plastic sheet can be folded, bent, and sealed to create custom-shaped enclosures that adapt to different product volumes and transport needs, eliminating the need for fixed-size rigid containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a thin plastic sheet as the primary packaging material instead of rigid containers. This flexible film can be sealed at edges to create enclosed spaces of varying sizes and shapes, providing both space efficiency when not in use and adaptability during use, thereby reducing cabinet space while maintaining ease of handling.
2Ease of operation
If conventional bags are used for transporting products, then portability is improved, but they are not effective at safely transporting liquid products
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a multi-layer plastic sheet composition where different layers provide complementary properties. The composite structure includes layers with appropriate melt temperatures, barrier properties, and mechanical strength to safely contain liquid products while maintaining the portability advantages of flexible packaging.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional bags come in fixed sizes, then manufacturing is simplified, but they are not properly sized to fit certain products such as spices
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible plastic sheet can be sealed at various positions along its length and width, allowing the same sheet to create enclosures of different sizes. Users can seal the sheet at different points to create appropriately sized packages for various products from small spice containers to larger food storage, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-size bag variants.
4Reliability
If a heating element is used to melt plastic layers to form a seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of plastic materials from solid to molten state through controlled heating. The heating element temporarily raises the temperature of plastic layers above their melting point to form strong seals, then allows cooling to revert to solid state, creating reliable seals with minimal energy input required for the temporary phase change.
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 solution provides a compact, efficient, and versatile means of sealing and transporting a variety of products, including liquids, by forming adjustable seals and openings in plastic enclosures, addressing the limitations of conventional containers and bags.
Implementation Method 1
the heating element increases a temperature at the interface to melt the plastic material and form a seal between the first plastic layer and the second plastic layer
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for sealing a plastic enclosure is provided. The apparatus includes a handle including elements pivotally coupled together at a first end. The apparatus also includes a heating element positioned along an inner surface of an element and connected to a power source where a longitudinal axis of the heating element is oriented parallel with a longitudinal axis of the element. Plastic material including first and second plastic layers is positioned at an interface between the second elements. Upon pivoting the first elements from an open position to a closed position the heating element increases a temperature at the interface to melt the plastic material and form a seal between the first and second plastic layers.