Resealable Bag Closure Device with Segmented Weakness Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resealable pouch closure devices, including those with sliders and tamper-evident elements, face challenges in ease of use and reliability, particularly in the manipulation and sealing processes.
Innovation Solution
A closure device featuring two parallel webs with complementary male/female closure elements and a rod with a longitudinal zone of weakness, allowing for easy opening and resealing, where the zone of weakness is defined by a material interface with limited adhesion, preferably made of different materials with varying melting points, facilitating the separation of closure elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rod connects two support webs with closure elements, then the sealing and structural integrity is improved, but the difficulty of opening increases due to the secure connection
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is segmented into two distinct sections made of different materials with different melting points. This segmentation allows the rod to maintain structural integrity during normal use while enabling easy separation through controlled melting at the interface between the two material sections, thus resolving the contradiction between secure sealing and ease of opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod utilizes parameter changes by employing materials with different melting points. The first section has a higher melting point while the second section has a lower melting point, creating a controlled weakness at the interface. This allows the rod to be strong during sealing but easily separable when heating is applied, balancing reliability with ease of operation.
2Reliability
If closure elements are securely connected, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the ease of resealing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rod connecting the closure elements is divided into two sections with different materials, creating a controlled separation point. This segmentation maintains secure connection during sealing while enabling easy breakdown for resealing by melting at the material interface, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and ease of resealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod utilizes phase transition (melting) of the second material section at a lower melting point to enable easy separation of closure elements for resealing. During normal sealing operations, the rod remains solid and secure, but when heating is applied, the lower melting point material melts, allowing the closure elements to separate easily for resealing.
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
Enhances the ease and reliability of opening and resealing pouches by allowing for efficient engagement and disengagement of closure elements, improving the extrusion and cooling processes, and ensuring a secure connection.
Implementation Method 1
the zone of weakness 32 is defined by a simple interface between two different materials with limited adhesion
Implementation Method 2
the sections 31, 35 of the rod 30 which frame it. The zone of weakness 32 is preferably formed by a band 34 formed of a different material from the two sections 31, 35 of the rod 30, which frame it
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The device has male and female closing elements (12, 22) carried by support webs (10, 20), respectively. The closing elements are closer to each other in closed position and are separated from each other in open position. Breakable connection elements connect the webs and are formed by a stem (30) extruded with one of the webs. The stem has a weak zone (32) defined by a local material change, and the closing elements are arranged on respective sides of the stem. The stem comprises a low density polyethylene section and a copolymer section.