Star-like Reinforcement Insert for 3D Plastic Bag Junctions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-dimensional plastic bags in the bioprocessing industry face issues with fatigue and leakage at the junctions where three plastic films meet, due to inadequate material and improper sealing, leading to potential contamination and increased handling risks.
Innovation Solution
A star-like plastic insert with multiple jaws is used to reinforce the junctions between plastic films, extending along the direction between two films, which can be heat-sealed or glued to enhance structural integrity and prevent fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If three plastic films are heat-sealed together at junctions to form three-dimensional bags, then the bags can be manufactured at low cost with simple structure, but the junctions are prone to fatigue and leakage due to lack of material and improper sealing
Solution Approach 1:
A reinforcement insert is introduced as an intermediary component at the junctions where three plastic films meet. This insert provides additional material and structural support to the heat-sealed area, preventing fatigue and leakage while maintaining the simplicity of the manufacturing process. The insert acts as a mediator between the plastic films, distributing stresses and reinforcing the sealing area without complicating the overall bag construction method.
2Reliability
If reinforcement inserts are added at junctions to prevent fatigue and leakage, then the reliability of the bag improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing process become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement function is segmented from the main bag structure by using a separate, modular insert component. This allows the reinforcement feature to be added only where needed (at junctions) without complicating the entire bag design. The segmented approach enables simple heat-sealing of the insert to the plastic films, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving reliability at critical points.
3Device complexity
If the radius between jaws is made smaller to reduce insert size, then the device complexity decreases, but the minimum allowable bending radius of the film is violated causing fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The design parameters of the reinforcement insert are optimized to find the minimum acceptable radius between jaws that still satisfies the film's bending radius requirements. By carefully selecting this parameter, the insert provides adequate reinforcement without being overly large or complex. The parameter is tuned to match the specific plastic film properties, ensuring the film is not bent beyond its minimum allowable radius while keeping the insert size reasonable.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of fatigue and leakage during handling and packaging, maintaining sterility and improving the durability of the plastic bags, making them suitable for demanding applications like bioprocessing.
Implementation Method 1
The insert may for example be heat-sealed or glued at the junction
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to an insert for reinforcement of bags made of plastic film, comprising a star-like plastic part having at least three jaws, wherein the insert is adapted to be arranged at a junction of a three-dimensional bag where at least three plastic films meet, so that each jaw extends in a direction between two films. The invention also relates to a three dimensional bag incorporating such inserts and a method of producing such a bag.