Sampling Bag Carrier With Laterally Offset Central Segment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current food safety testing processes are labor-intensive due to the physical properties of Stomacher bags, which are difficult to automate, requiring carriers that can securely hold and handle these bags without tearing or stretching them.
Innovation Solution
A carrier with a ribbon-like body and integrated clamps that securely hold the sampling bag, allowing it to be easily transported and stored, and features a central segment laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis to facilitate bag opening and handling, including RFID tags for identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated processes are implemented to handle sampling bags, then productivity is improved, but the physical properties of the bags make them difficult to automate without tearing or stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carrier as an intermediary device between the automated handling system and the sampling bag. The carrier has a body with clamps that securely hold the bag, allowing automated robots to manipulate the carrier rather than directly handling the fragile bag. This mediator protects the bag from direct contact with automated mechanisms that could cause tearing or stretching.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion for structural support, clamps for securing the bag, and a laterally spaced central segment for facilitating bag opening. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while protecting the overall system reliability.
2Ease of operation
If clamps are used to secure the sampling bag to the carrier, then ease of operation is improved, but there is a risk of damaging the bag
Solution Approach 1:
The clamps are designed to apply controlled pressure with specific physical parameters that are sufficient to secure the bag during transport but below the threshold that would cause damage. The clamp force, contact area, and distribution of pressure are optimized to balance securing strength with bag protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier body acts as an intermediary between the clamps and the sampling bag, distributing the clamping forces across a larger area and preventing concentrated stress points that could tear the bag material.
3Ease of operation
If the central segment is laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis, then ease of operation is improved for bag opening, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier features an asymmetric design where the central segment is deliberately positioned laterally offset from the longitudinal axis. This asymmetric placement creates natural clearance space on one side of the bag, facilitating easier access for opening operations while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Carriers for a sampling bag are described herein. The carriers have a body having a first segment; a second segment; and a central segment integrated with and extending between the first segment and the second segment. The central segment is laterally spaced apart from a longitudinal axis of the body. The first segment and the second segment are coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The carrier also includes a pair of clamps coupled to the body and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis. Each clamp of the pair of clamps is configured to retain the sampling bag against the body of the carrier when the sampling bag is hanging downwardly relative to the body.