Tape Closure Device for Bag Neck Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for vertically oriented bags, such as hog rings, pose health risks and cannot bear identifying indicia, making them unsuitable for tracking food products effectively.
Innovation Solution
A tape closure device that secures the neck of vertically oriented bags using a continuous length of adhesive tape, with a taping arm and plungers to gather and seal the bag neck, allowing for easy identification and safety without metal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal hog rings are used to close vertically oriented bags, then the bags can be sealed effectively, but health risks arise from accidental ingestion or mastication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metal hog ring component entirely from the closure system and replaces it with an adhesive tape-based mechanism. This extraction of the harmful metal element eliminates the health risk while preserving the sealing function through alternative means (adhesive tape and plunger mechanism).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses disposable adhesive tape instead of durable metal hog rings. The tape is applied once to seal the bag and remains in place as a safe, non-metallic closure, eliminating the need for removable metal components that pose ingestion hazards.
2Reliability
If metal hog rings are used to close vertically oriented bags, then the bags can be sealed effectively, but the closure cannot bear identifying indicia for tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive tape serves multiple functions: it provides the primary sealing mechanism to close the bag neck and simultaneously offers a surface for printing identifying indicia. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the closure element both effective for sealing and capable of information bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the surface of the adhesive tape (and optionally the bag material) to print identifying indicia, barcodes, or other tracking information. This allows the closure system to convey information without requiring separate metal tags or labels.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive tape is used instead of metal hog rings, then health risks are eliminated and tracking is enabled, but the mechanism for applying and securing the tape becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive tape is designed to be self-adhering, eliminating the need for additional fastening components like metal rings, clips, or tying mechanisms. The tape adheres to itself and the bag material through its adhesive properties, simplifying the overall mechanism despite the initial complexity of the application system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a continuous length of adhesive tape that is applied and then severed, with the used portion discarded and a fresh portion prepared for the next cycle. This approach simplifies the mechanism by avoiding the need to reset or reuse complex metal closure components.
4Reliability
If a continuous length of adhesive tape is used with rotation mechanisms, then vertically oriented bags can be effectively sealed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs rotational movement of the taping arm and plungers to dynamically apply the tape around the vertically oriented bag neck. This dynamic approach allows the mechanism to adapt to the cylindrical shape of the bag and achieve effective sealing through motion rather than complex static structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rotational movement in a first geometric plane to apply the tape circumferentially around the bag neck. This use of rotational dimensionality allows the linear tape to be effectively wrapped and secured around the vertical bag, achieving three-dimensional closure through two-dimensional rotational motion.
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 tape closure system effectively seals vertically oriented bags, providing a safe and identifiable closure that extends the usability of packaging while addressing health and tracking concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a tape closure device that secures the neck of vertically oriented bags using a continuous length of adhesive tape
Data Source
AI summary
A tape closure device is configured to secure the neck of a vertically-oriented bag with an adhesive tape. The tape closure device preferably includes a main plate that has a closure receiving slot and a drive plate connected to the main plate. The drive plate includes a drive assembly receiving slot that is vertically aligned with the closure receiving slot. The tape closure device also includes a drive assembly attached to the drive plate, a tape feed assembly attached to the main plate, and a closure system attached to the main plate. The closure system of the tape closure device includes a front plunger configured for rotation about a first vertical axis, a back plunger configured for rotation about a second vertical axis, a taping arm configured for rotation about a third vertical axis and a receiving block positioned adjacent the closure receiving slot.