Why the “dass” when comparing statements with “als dass”?

Answer 1

You use "als dass" when you are making a comparison to an action, as opposed to an object.

For example...

Die Orange ist größer als die Mandarine.

(The orange is larger than the mandarin orange.)

...but...

Die Orange is zu groß, als dass man sie in die Tasche stecken könnte.

(The orange is to large, as that one could put it in the pocket.)

HTH