Wave-Shaped Drawstring for Trash Bag Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawstring trash bags have limitations in securely affixing to a variety of container openings, particularly due to the use of expensive and bulky materials, and require significant manufacturing costs, while also being unable to carry the weight of a full bag effectively.
Innovation Solution
A drawstring bag design featuring wave-shaped drawstrings made from common polyethylene materials, such as high density, linear low density, and low density polyethylene, which are elongated and deformed to fit a wider range of container openings, providing enhanced elasticity and secure attachment with reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive elastomeric materials and thicker gauge drawstrings are used to provide elastic properties for gripping trash receptacles, then the elastic functionality and gripping capability are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of conventional polyethylene drawstrings by subjecting them to controlled stretching and heat treatment processes. This transforms ordinary polyethylene into a material with elastic properties, achieving the desired gripping capability without using expensive elastomeric materials. The parameter changes in molecular structure and physical properties enable the drawstring to exhibit elastic recovery while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, specialized elastomeric materials with inexpensive, conventional polyethylene that can be processed through simple stretching and heat treatment. This substitution dramatically reduces material costs while achieving the required functional performance for disposable trash bag applications.
2Reliability
If multiple draw tape elements including elastic loops are used to secure the bag onto trash receptacles, then the securing functionality is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex multi-component draw tape system from the design. Instead of using separate elastic loops, cinch elements, and draw tapes, the invention integrates all securing functionality into a single simplified drawstring component that achieves the same or better securing performance through elastic polyethylene properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functional elements (draw tape, elastic loop, cinch element) into a single integrated drawstring component. This consolidation simplifies the overall structure, reduces the number of parts, and eliminates the complexity associated with assembling and coordinating multiple separate elements while maintaining or improving securing functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional polyethylene drawstrings are used instead of elastomeric materials, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the elastic properties and ability to stretch over container rims are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies controlled stretching and heat treatment to conventional polyethylene drawstrings, fundamentally changing their physical and molecular parameters. This process induces elastic properties in the polyethylene, enabling it to stretch over container rims and recover, thereby achieving adaptability previously only available through expensive elastomeric materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the limitation of conventional polyethylene lacking elastic properties and recovers elastic functionality through a simple heat treatment and stretching process. This approach retains the cost advantages of polyethylene while recovering the elastic performance needed for effective trash bag securing.
4Strength
If traditional high density polyethylene drawstrings are used, then tensile strength is improved, but the ability to provide elastic recovery and secure attachment to varied container openings is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and molecular configuration of high density polyethylene through controlled stretching and heat treatment. This transforms the rigid, high-strength material into one that exhibits elastic recovery properties while maintaining adequate tensile strength, thereby achieving both strength and adaptability in a single material system.
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 wave-shaped drawstrings allow for secure attachment to a broader range of container sizes with less effort and force, maintaining the same load-carrying capacity as traditional linear drawstrings while requiring less expensive materials, thus improving usability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A drawstring bag design featuring wave-shaped drawstrings made from common polyethylene materials, such as high density, linear low density, and low density polyethylene, which are elongated and deformed to fit a wider range of container openings, providing enhanced elasticity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a drawstring bag comprising a first panel and a second panel. The first panel and the second panel are joined along a first side, a bottom, and a second side. The first panel and the second panel thereby define an upper opening of the bag. The drawstring bag may further comprise a wave shaped drawstring disposed within a first hem along the upper opening of the bag in the first panel and a second wave shaped drawstring disposed within a second hem along the upper opening of the bag in the second panel. Each of the wave shaped drawstrings may be out stretched prior to insertion into the corresponding hem to narrow the upper opening of the bag to provide for the bag gripping the openings of trash containers.