Elastic Drawstring for Trash Bags Using Polyethylene Blend
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional drawstring trash bags are difficult to secure over the upper lip of a trash receptacle and require thicker, more costly elastomeric materials to achieve sufficient tensile strength and recovery.
Innovation Solution
An elastic drawstring made from a two-component polyethylene blend, comprising linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), with a preferred ratio of 3:1, which reduces thickness and material costs while maintaining high tensile strength and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thicker elastomeric materials are used for drawstrings to achieve sufficient tensile strength and recovery, then the tensile strength and recovery are improved, but the material cost and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two different polyethylene resins (first and second polyethylene) with distinct density ranges to create a drawstring material that achieves the required tensile strength and recovery properties without using thicker or more expensive elastomeric materials. The composite structure allows optimization of mechanical properties while controlling material quantity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by carefully selecting and controlling the density parameters of the two polyethylene components (first polyethylene density and second polyethylene density) to achieve the desired balance between tensile strength, recovery, and material thickness. By adjusting these density parameters, the invention optimizes the material performance without increasing thickness or cost.
2Strength
If thicker elastomeric materials are used for drawstrings to achieve sufficient tensile strength and recovery, then the tensile strength and recovery are improved, but the drawstring thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two different polyethylene resins (first and second polyethylene) with distinct density ranges to create a drawstring material that achieves the required tensile strength and recovery properties without using thicker or more expensive elastomeric materials. The composite structure allows optimization of mechanical properties while controlling material quantity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by carefully selecting and controlling the density parameters of the two polyethylene components (first polyethylene density and second polyethylene density) to achieve the desired balance between tensile strength, recovery, and material thickness. By adjusting these density parameters, the invention optimizes the material performance without increasing thickness or cost.
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 two-component polyethylene blend provides a cost-effective, secure, and durable elastic drawstring that can be easily integrated into trash bags, enhancing their functionality and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic drawstring is comprised primarily of a two-component polyethylene blend. The first polyethylene component is a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)... The second polyethylene component is a low-density polyethylene (LDPE)... providing a cost-effective, secure, and durable elastic drawstring
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed toward an improved elastic drawstring for use with a trash bag. The elastic drawstring is comprised primarily of a two-component polyethylene blend. The first polyethylene component is a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) having a density of 0.915 g/cc or less, with a preferred range of between 0.900 g/cc and 0.915 g/cc. In certain preferred embodiments, the density of the first polyethylene component is approximately 0.906 g/cc. The second polyethylene component is a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) having a density of between 0.915 g/cc and 0.929 g/cc. In a preferred embodiment, the second polyethylene component has a density of approximately 0.918 g/cc.