Reusable Tote Folding Structure for Compact Empty Carry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tote bags are inconvenient to carry when empty due to their large size, leading to the use of disposable bags and increased environmental waste, and consumers seek reusable bags that are convenient to carry when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A compact reusable tote with a sac and closure flap that transitions between an open carry configuration and a compressed storage configuration, featuring symmetrical front and back panels, a gusset panel, and a rectangular closure flap with fasteners to secure the tote in a compact form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the tote bag is made large to provide sufficient carrying capacity, then the interior volume is improved, but the convenience of carrying when empty deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tote bag employs dynamic configurability, transitioning between an expanded carrying configuration with large interior volume and a compressed storage configuration with minimal volume. The sac can be folded along crease lines and rolled into a compact bundle that fits within the closure flap, allowing the bag to adapt its size based on usage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed sac is nested within the closure flap structure. When folded and rolled, the sac bundle is contained inside the flap's boundaries, creating a compact nested configuration that eliminates the need to carry an empty large bag.
2Loss of substance
If the tote bag is made reusable to reduce waste, then environmental friendliness is improved, but the convenience of carrying when empty deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable tote bag resolves the inconvenience of carrying empty bags by enabling dynamic transformation to a compact compressed state. The fastening system secures the compressed sac within the flap, creating a convenient portable package that maintains reusability benefits while eliminating carrying burdens.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tote bag structure is simplified to ease manufacturing, then manufacturing cost is improved, but the ability to compress to small size deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tote bag is segmented into distinct panels (front, back, gusset) connected by fold lines and creases. This segmentation enables the bag to be folded along predetermined lines to achieve compact compression while maintaining simple manufacturing processes using standard panel construction methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The sac utilizes flexible fabric panels that can be folded and rolled to achieve compact compression. The flexible nature of the fabric allows the structure to be compressed into a small bundle within the flap without requiring complex rigid mechanisms, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact reusable tote includes a sac and a closure flap. The sac is configured to transition between an open carry configuration and a compressed storage configuration. The sac includes generally symmetrical front and back panels having a generally rectangular lower portion and an upper portion including a strap. The front and back panels define an interior compartment. A closure flap having cooperating fastener portions is affixed to a sac panel. In the storage configuration the cooperating fastener portions are mated to one another such that no portion of the sac extends substantially beyond the left and right edges of the closure flap.