Split Multicomponent Nonwoven Food Bag for Vegetable Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging materials for vegetables are inadequate in maintaining freshness and preventing spoilage, especially for consumers and professionals with limited storage facilities and access to fresh vegetables.

Innovation Solution

A food bag with walls made of a nonwoven material composed of split multicomponent filaments, which are partially perforated, allowing for controlled humidity and gas exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If standard packaging materials (plastic foil or paper bags) are used to store vegetables, then moisture loss is reduced and drying is prevented, but gas permeability is limited which leads to condensed water accumulation, vegetable softening, molding, and anaerobic reactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture lossVSAvoidcondensed water accumulation and gas imbalance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nonwoven fabric with controlled porosity that allows selective permeability. The porous structure enables moisture vapor to escape while maintaining liquid moisture retention, and permits balanced gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide) to prevent anaerobic conditions and condensation accumulation, thus resolving the contradiction between moisture protection and gas permeability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite packaging system combining nonwoven fabric with specific fiber compositions and structural characteristics. This composite material integrates the benefits of moisture retention with enhanced gas exchange capabilities, overcoming the limitations of single-material packaging solutions like plastic foil or paper bags

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of substance

If plastic foil or paper bags are used for vegetable storage, then vegetables are protected from drying, but these packagings cannot be reused and become waste leading to environmental problems and economic burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from dryingVSAvoidreusability and environmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent promotes packaging recovery and reuse by designing a durable nonwoven fabric bag that can be washed and reused multiple times. The material's resistance to degradation and ease of cleaning enable it to be recovered and reused, eliminating the single-use waste problem associated with plastic foil and paper bags while maintaining protective functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, single-use packaging materials with a cost-effective, reusable alternative. The nonwoven fabric bag provides durable, economical packaging that eliminates the need for continuous disposal and replacement, reducing both environmental impact and long-term costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If vegetables are stored at room temperature or in limited storage facilities, then accessibility and convenience are maintained, but vegetables spoil quickly through wilting, molding, shrinking, and consistency changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage accessibilityVSAvoidvegetable freshness duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the microenvironment parameters within the packaging by using nonwoven fabric that regulates humidity and gas composition. This creates optimal local conditions (controlled humidity levels, balanced oxygen-carbon dioxide ratio) that slow down biochemical degradation processes, extending vegetable freshness without requiring specialized storage facilities or temperature control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 food bag significantly extends the storage time of vegetables by maintaining their freshness and edibility, reducing waste, and allowing for repeated use and washing.

Implementation Method 1

the nonwoven materials are also breathable and allow exchange of gas or steam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

the nonwoven materials are also breathable and allow exchange of gas or steam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP4108820B1Food bag from nonwoven made from multicomponent filaments
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 CARL FREUDENBERG KG

AI summary

Subject of the invention is a food bag for storing vegetables, wherein the walls of the food bag comprise a nonwoven which consists of multicomponent filaments, which are split at least partially into elementary filaments. The invention also relates to uses of the food bag and methods for storing food.