Re-closable Paper Bag with Pivotable Flange Adhesive
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for re-closable bags that consumers can conveniently deposit into the recycling stream, as flexible plastic film bags, commonly used for products like dry foods and laundry products, are not easily recyclable due to limited access to recycling facilities.
Innovation Solution
A paper-based bag design featuring a first and second side sheet with pivotable flanges and a repositionable pressure-sensitive adhesive that allows for easy opening and re-closing, ensuring the bag remains closed when inverted, while being predominantly composed of paper for easy recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flexible plastic film bags are used for packaging, then the bags are lightweight, durable, and inexpensive with recloseable mechanisms, but they are not easily recyclable due to limited access to recycling facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter of the bag from plastic to paper (specifically, paperboard or corrugated paperboard), transforming it from a non-recyclable flexible plastic film bag into a recyclable paper-based package while maintaining the recloseable functionality through an interlocking closure mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material construction by combining paperboard/corrugated paperboard with an interlocking closure mechanism, creating a hybrid structure that achieves both recyclability (through paper material) and recloseability (through mechanical interlocking components)
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid recyclable packages made of paperboard or corrugated paperboard are used, then the packages are recyclable, but they may not be desirable for certain products due to weight and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the paperboard thickness and density parameters to create a package that is sufficiently rigid for recyclability but lightweight enough for consumer convenience, avoiding the excessive weight of traditional rigid paperboard packages
3Ease of operation
If an interlocking closure mechanism is added to the paper-based bag, then the bag becomes recloseable, but the complexity of the package structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking closure mechanism is designed to be self-servicing, allowing consumers to easily open and reclose the bag without requiring external tools or complex operations, with features like a plow to push apart the tongue-in-groove connection and a guide to reclose it
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components (plow, guide, tongue-in-groove connection) that work together independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining recloseability functionality
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 paper-based bag provides a recyclable and convenient closure mechanism for products, maintaining contents when inverted and facilitating easy recycling by being predominantly paper-based, addressing the challenge of flexible plastic film bag recyclability.
Implementation Method 1
a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive that releasably engages said first pivotable flange and said second pivotable flange
Implementation Method 2
said first folded portion comprises a plurality of first panels in which said first side sheet interior facing surface of said first panels are bonded to one another
Data Source
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AI summary
A bag that includes a first side sheet and a second side sheet, each of which are more than 80% by weight paper. The first side sheet includes an exteriorly oriented first pivotable flange that is distal to a first folded portion of the first side sheet. The interior facing surface of the panels of the first folded portion are bonded to one another. Optionally, the second side sheet includes an interiorly oriented second pivotable flange that is distal to a second folded portion of the second side sheet. The interior facing surface of the panels of the optional second folded portion are bonded to one another. A repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive is provided that releasably engages the first pivotable flange and the second side sheet or optional second pivotable flange.