Self-Configuring Bag with Accordion Fold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shopping bags are inefficient for carrying large or bulky items, often requiring excessive effort to position and may lead to unnecessary plastic or paper bag usage due to size mismatches, and many consumers face restrictions or fees for bag usage.
Innovation Solution
A self-configuring bag device that stores compactly and automatically forms a size-conforming interior cavity when deployed, using a flexible fabric body with handles and an elongated flexible member to create an accordion fold, allowing easy adaptation to various item sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional preformed bags are used to carry items of varying sizes, then the bag structure is simple and ready to use, but the bag size cannot adapt to different item sizes leading to wasted space and potential difficulty in positioning bulky items
Solution Approach 1:
The bag transitions from a static flat configuration to a dynamic three-dimensional structure through the action of the drawstring. The flexible fabric body can be collapsed flat for storage and then expanded into various bag shapes depending on the volume of items placed inside, allowing the bag structure to dynamically adapt to different item sizes and volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag's volume and shape parameters are changed by pulling the drawstring, which transforms the flat fabric body into a three-dimensional cavity. This parameter change allows the same bag structure to accommodate items of varying sizes by adjusting the internal volume through the drawstring mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If oversized bags are used to accommodate bulky items, then all items can fit, but excessive effort is required to position heavy items into the bag through the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The bag is prepared in a flat configuration before use, allowing items to be arranged on top of it before the bag is drawn up. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need to lift and maneuver items into a preformed bag opening, as items can simply be placed on the flat surface and then the bag is drawn up around them.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing items into a preformed bag through an opening, the invention inverts the process by placing items on a flat surface and then drawing the bag up around them. This reversal of the traditional bagging sequence eliminates the need to lift items through a bag opening.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional bags are used to carry items of different sizes, then each item size can be accommodated, but the number of bags increases leading to more waste and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The single bag design serves multiple functions by accommodating items of varying sizes and volumes. Through the drawstring mechanism, the same bag can be adjusted to fit small items, large items, irregularly shaped items, or multiple items together, replacing the need for multiple specialized bags.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag's fabric body is divided into four panels that can be folded along crease lines to form the three-dimensional structure. This segmented design allows the flat fabric to be efficiently transformed into a volumetric bag that can adapt to different item configurations.
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
Enables efficient and secure carrying of items of different sizes without the need for multiple bags, reducing plastic and paper usage by providing a reusable, easily deployable solution that conforms to the items being carried.
Implementation Method 1
using a flexible fabric body with handles and an elongated flexible member to create an accordion fold
Data Source
AI summary
A self-configuring bag device formed of flexible material is configured for easy folding and storage while in a first position, and to operate as a bag to carry objects within an interior cavity in a bag configuration. Changing between the first position and bag configuration is accomplished by pulling upon first and second portions of a flexible member slidably positioned within a channel running around the perimeter edge of the body.