Sinusoidal Emboss Pattern for Thermoplastic Film Tear Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoplastic films used in trash bags are susceptible to puncture and tear propagation due to their soft and flexible nature, with existing solutions either increasing weight and cost or not effectively addressing tear propagation.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic film with a sinusoidal emboss pattern that varies in amplitude and wavelength, allowing for tailored shock absorption and tear resistance by redirecting tears into more resistant directions and providing increased flexibility and capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the film is increased to enhance physical properties, then puncture resistance is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure within the thermoplastic film by incorporating embossed regions with stretched areas into the unstretched film matrix. This internal composite architecture provides enhanced shock absorption and puncture resistance without requiring increased overall film thickness, thereby avoiding the associated weight and cost penalties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating discrete embossed regions with stretched areas at specific locations within the film rather than uniformly thickening the entire film. These localized stretched zones provide targeted shock absorption and puncture resistance where needed, while the rest of the film maintains its original lightweight characteristics.
2Strength
If stretched areas are imparted into thermoplastic films to induce shock absorption properties, then puncture resistance is improved, but tear propagation resistance is not effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved, sinusoidal embossed patterns rather than straight lines or simple geometric shapes. The curved nature of the sinusoidal embosses creates tortuous tear paths that redirect propagating tears, combining shock absorption functionality with enhanced tear propagation resistance in a single integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the film into multiple embossed regions separated by unembossed material, creating a segmented structure. This segmentation interrupts potential tear propagation paths and forces tears to navigate around multiple embossed zones, thereby reducing tear propagation while maintaining shock absorption through the distributed embossed regions.
3Strength
If embossed patterns are used to provide shock absorption, then puncture resistance is improved, but film flexibility and elongation may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic structure where the embossed regions can deform and absorb energy during impact events, while the unembossed regions maintain the film's baseline flexibility. The sinusoidal embossed patterns are designed to compress and rebound during shock events, providing dynamic shock absorption that does not permanently compromise the film's flexible characteristics.
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
The sinusoidal emboss pattern enhances the film's ability to absorb shock and resist tears, improving the bag's capacity and load-carrying capability while maintaining a lightweight and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
the shock absorber bands absorb some of the energy and may prevent puncture of the film
Implementation Method 2
certain prior art solutions take advantage of the differential properties of thermoplastic films by redirecting tears into a different direction which offers greater resistance to the propagating tear
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to thermoplastic film having improved tear resistance, puncture resistance, and enhanced control of the film's elongation when subject to an applied load. The film can have an emboss pattern comprising a plurality of embossed regions, each embossed region comprising a plurality of closely spaced, non-intersecting sinusoidal shaped embosses. A sinusoidal emboss of an embossed region can be divided into three sections, wherein for each section along the emboss, the cross and machine orientation of the film can vary due to formation of the emboss. The emboss pattern can be arranged into various sections, wherein the amplitudes of the sinusoidal embosses of an embossed region can vary from one section of the pattern to another. The overall geometric shape of the embossed regions can also vary from one emboss region to another.