Tufted Freezer Bag Structure for Uniform Liquid Freezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing freezer bags face issues with uneven freezing and expansion, leading to damage, contamination, and increased shipping costs due to the formation of projections during the freezing of liquids, which limits storage and shelf-life.
Innovation Solution
A tufted freezer bag design with a pliable housing and tufting that divides the cavity into regions, allowing for uniform freezing and reducing the formation of projections, along with a storage system and method that incorporates a rigid container for secure stacking and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid volume is decreased to reduce bag damage during freezing, then bag integrity is improved, but unused space increases and shipping cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity is divided into multiple regions by tufting elements that extend from the first wall toward the second wall. This segmentation allows the liquid to be distributed across multiple smaller freezing zones, preventing the formation of large projections that would damage the bag while maximizing the usable volume of the container.
2Reliability
If liquid volume is decreased to reduce bag damage during freezing, then bag integrity is improved, but shipping cost increases due to unused space
Solution Approach 1:
The tufting creates multiple regions that allow the bag to be filled to a greater volume without creating damaging projections. The segmented structure distributes expansion forces, enabling maximum utilization of the container volume while maintaining bag integrity, thereby reducing wasted space and shipping costs.
3Productivity
If multiple containers are stored, then storage efficiency is improved, but projection formation damages bags and creates contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the cavity into multiple regions through tufting, the freezing process is distributed across several zones. This prevents the formation of large outward projections that would prevent proper stacking and storage of multiple containers, thereby improving storage efficiency while eliminating the contamination risk associated with bag damage.
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 tufted design enhances uniform freezing, maintains bag integrity, facilitates stacking, and allows for increased fluid volume without damage, reducing shipping costs and storage challenges.
Implementation Method 1
freezing the fluid within the cavity of the freezer bag. The regions increase uniform freezing of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
due to expansion and uneven freezing, a projection frequently forms on the frozen liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A freezer bag, a storage system, and a method of freezing are provided. The freezer bag includes a pliable housing including at least one panel and a seam, the at least one panel and the seam defining a cavity within the pliable housing, a port extending from the pliable housing, and a tufting coupling opposing sides of the pliable housing, the tufting dividing the cavity into a plurality of regions.