Stackable Bulk Bag With Nested Lifting Straps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk goods bags face challenges in optimal space utilization during transport and storage, as lifting straps project above the bag's surface when raised by fork-lift trucks, making it difficult to stack fully filled bags and leading to wasted space in containers.
Innovation Solution
The bag features interconnected lifting straps formed into tubes by stitched fabric pieces, which prevent the straps from projecting above the bag's surface, maintaining a cubic shape and allowing for efficient stacking, with additional hook-and-loop fasteners facilitating fork-lift engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lifting straps are provided on the bag for handling, then ease of operation is improved, but the straps project above the bag surface when raised by fork-lift trucks, causing loss of space and making stacking difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting straps are nested within tubular structures formed by stitching fabric pieces onto the bag surface. The straps are contained within these tubes, preventing them from projecting above the bag surface while remaining accessible for fork-lift engagement. This nesting approach resolves the contradiction by hiding the functional elements within the bag's volume rather than having them extend outward.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting straps are repositioned from a traditional external attachment to an integrated feature within the bag's surface dimension. By forming tubes that contain the straps and positioning them within the bag's cubic volume, the solution transitions the straps from a three-dimensional projection to a two-dimensional surface feature, eliminating the vertical projection problem.
2Ease of operation
If lifting straps are positioned on the side of the bag, then ease of operation is improved, but more space is necessary and stacking becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting function is merged with the bag's surface structure by stitching fabric tubes directly onto the bag. This integration eliminates the need for separate external lifting mechanisms and incorporates the lifting function into the bag's own structure, maintaining ease of operation without increasing the bag's external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular fabric structures are placed only at specific locations on the bag surface where lifting is needed, rather than extending the bag's overall dimensions. This localized approach provides the necessary lifting engagement points while maintaining the bag's compact cubic shape for optimal stacking.
3Productivity
If the bag is filled to maximum height, then productivity is improved, but the projecting straps make stacking impossible in standard containers
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting straps are pre-positioned within the tubular structures on the bag surface before filling. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the bag is filled to maximum capacity, the straps remain contained within the tubes and do not project above the surface, enabling immediate stacking without requiring manual adjustment or leaving headspace.
4Reliability
If additional security straps are added for safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular fabric structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide the lifting surface for fork-lift engagement, contain the lifting straps to prevent projection, and can accommodate additional security straps if needed. This multi-functionality provides reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same structural element serves multiple safety and operational purposes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bag (10) for the transport and storage of bulk goods comprising at least a bottom (19), four sides (11-14), wherein the four sides (11-14) are connected along adjacent edges to form vertical ridges (15) at each of the four corners of the bag and each side (11-14) is connected to a lid (17) along an upper edge to form a horizontal ridge (16); wherein the bag (10) further comprises four lifting straps (20), each lifting strap (20) having a first section (20a) and a second section (20b) separated by an intermediate section (20c); wherein the first and the second sections (20a, 20b) are sewn on a vertical ridge (15) of the bag; wherein the intermediate section (20c) forms an oblong loop and is positioned along the horizontal ridge (16) of the bag; wherein the bag (10) further comprises four restraining straps (21), each restraining strap (21 ) having two vertical sections (21 a, 21b) separated by a U- shaped section (21 c), each vertical section (21 a, 21 b) being sewn on one side (11-14) of the bag and the U-shaped section (21c) being positioned over the intermediate section (20c) of a lifting strap (20) and being at least partially sewn thereon; wherein the restraining straps (21) are configured so as to limit the extension of the top of the loops formed by the intermediate sections (20c) of the lifting straps (20) in the vertical direction.