Round Cross-Section Closure Strap for Sausage Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure straps for tubular or bag-shaped packages, such as sausages, require high closing force and can damage adjacent packages due to their wide, flat configuration and sharp edges, and do not efficiently utilize space.
Innovation Solution
A closure strap with an elongated stripe portion and an insertion portion featuring a round cross-section, where the insertion end can be inserted into a corresponding channel, reducing contact area and closing force, and incorporating notches for secure closure, with the insertion end extending inside the strap to prevent damage to adjacent packages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat configuration closure strap with relatively big width is used, then a reliable closing force can be provided, but a relatively long neck portion has to be formed and both ends of the strap extend from the closed bag potentially damaging adjacent packages
Solution Approach 1:
The closure strap is given a round cross-section instead of a flat configuration. This curvature allows the strap to concentrate its closing force to a line contact rather than a broad flat surface, reducing the length of neck portion required and preventing damage to adjacent packages while maintaining closing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional flat strap to a three-dimensional round strap. This dimensional change enables the strap to insert itself into the neck portion more efficiently, concentrating the closing force along a line rather than distributing it over a wide area, thus reducing both the required neck length and the risk of damaging adjacent packages
2Reliability
If a flat configuration closure strap with relatively big width is used, then a reliable closing force can be provided, but a relatively long neck portion has to be formed
Solution Approach 1:
The round cross-section of the closure strap enables it to concentrate its closing force to a line contact with the neck portion, allowing effective closing with a shorter neck portion compared to flat straps that require broader contact areas
Solution Approach 2:
By transitioning from a 2D flat strap to a 3D round strap, the invention achieves more efficient force concentration, reducing the longitudinal extent of contact required and thereby shortening the necessary neck portion length while maintaining closing reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If both ends of the closure strap extend from the closed bag, then the strap can be properly formed, but adjacent packages may be damaged when made of sensitive material
Solution Approach 1:
The round cross-section allows the strap ends to be rounded rather than sharp-edged, enabling proper strap formation while eliminating the sharp edges that would damage sensitive package materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful sharp edges of flat straps into beneficial rounded ends. The rounding process that would normally be an additional step becomes inherent to the strap's cross-sectional shape, transforming a harmful feature into a protective one that prevents damage to sensitive materials
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a closure strap for closing packages having a bag-shaped or tubular form, in particular for closing sausage-shaped packages, like sausages. The closure strap (1) comprises a strap body (B) including an elongated stripe portion (10) having a first end (12) and a second end (14), and an insertion portion (20) having a first end (22), a second end (24) and an insertion channel (40). The second end (24) of the insertion portion (20) is connected with the first end (12) of the stripe portion (10). The second end (14) of the stripe portion (10) forms an insertion end for being inserted into the insertion channel (40) of the insertion portion (20) in an insertion direction (A). The second or insertion end (14) of the stripe portion (10) and the insertion channel (40) have a substantially round cross section corresponding to each other.